The World According to Cosmos

The World According to Cosmos – Poetry and Rants

  • Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    SixFold Voting Delayed

    the SixFold Voting Delayed Until May 1, deadline for submitting is April 23, 2019 at midnight EST.

    six fold site



    This is a good contest. Well worth submitting to. Each writer agrees to rate the writing of other writers in three rounds of voting. The finalists get published and money. The rest get valuable feedback. I participated two times before. The first time I missed the deadline so was washed out in the first round, the second time I voted on time and came out at 169 our of 350. Not too shabby. The feedback was constructive. This time I hope to come out much higher.

    Details as how to participate follow, as well as the poems I submitted before. I also included audio of the poems. The deadline is April 23 at midnight EST, and I word to the wise, they are very strict about the deadline as I found out.

    SixFold Voting Delayed

    the Six Fold Vote Delayed until May 1 (submissions due nlt midnight April 23, 2019 EST)

    We are sorry to say that the Sixfold vote is delayed until May 1 because the vote did not reach its participation goal yet. The all-writer-voted process depends on the collaboration of many writers and their opinions for a robust, successful publishing result. We’re halfway there, though, with about 200 writers entered in each of the fiction and poetry votes. Rest assured, the vote will begin on May 1 — all previous votes have needed two deadlines to gather between 300 and 400 participants in each genre.

    Until then, please spread the word to writers you know to be a part of absolutely the best editorial available. The many votes completed so far with thousands of writers participating show that writers consistently vote only the highest-quality manuscripts to win and publish. In each vote, no high-quality manuscripts are missed.

    The New Sixfold Vote Schedule:
    Read and Vote Round 1, from May 1 to May 12
    Round 2, from May 13 to May 24
    Round 3, from May 25 to June 5

    • If you can vote with the new schedule, do nothing. Sixfold will roll your manuscript entry into the next vote and you’ll begin voting on May 1. Sixfold will e-mail you before voting begins. If you like, you can replace your current manuscript PDF file with another up until April 23. (In the “Your Submission” section, click “Edit Submission” link. Click “Change Document” link to replace old PDF with new PDF.)

    • If you can not vote with the new schedule, e-mail in with your Sixfold account’s e-mail address and we can refund entry fee and withdraw the entry PDF.

    Sorry again for the delay. Thank you again for entering and spreading the word!

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    SixFold Voting Delayed

    Prior Submissions most recent first

    Fake Things

    fake politics
    fake President

    We live in a world
    Of fake things

    Fake Products
    Fake News
    Fake Calls
    Fake Politics
    Fake Sports
    Fake Business
    Fake Leaders
    Fake People
    Fake friends
    Fake sincerity

    Surrounded 24/7
    By all the fake things
    How can anything real exist?

    Is it all nothing but fake things
    Designed to deceive us all?
     
    October Rain

    The falling rain
    Of late October
    Fills me with essential dread

    As I rush about
    And end up here
    Wherever here is

    The rain outside
    Seems like the tears of god

    As I sit
    Crying over my beer

    Thinking of lost love
    And failed dreams

    Wondering
    What went wrong?
    And what I can set right

    And the rain falls
    And the night darkens

    The rain is falling
    All over this man’s world

    And the rain falls
    And I sit

    Drinking my lonesome drink
    Lost in dreams

    Dreaming of what
    Could never be

    Thinking dark thoughts
    And so, I sit
    And dream the night away
     
    The Story of How We Met

    Note: This is a true story. For further details see Dreams and the Unexplainable– a Chicken
    Soup for the Soul book, published in September 2017


    It all began in Berkeley, California
    In the springtime of 1974
    One fateful afternoon
    I was sleeping in my high school Physics class.

    SONY DSC

    I looked up and saw a tall
    beautiful Asian woman
    standing there looking at me.

    She was the most beautiful women
    in the universe
    I screamed out,
    who are you?

    She disappeared
    as if she was beamed
    away from my dream.

    I knew that someday
    I would meet the girl
    In the dream

    Little did I know
    I would have to wait
    until 1982

    Starting that month
    I began having the same dream
    Month and month and month.
    Always the same.

    She was saying something
    in a strange language.

    Then one day
    I had the dream
    and knew that
    she was in Korea.

    So,
    I chose to go
    to Korea
    In the Peace Corps,

    Somehow knowing
    That I would meet
    her there.

    One day
    A year after the Peace Corps ended
    A month before I planned
    to leave to return
    to the U.S. for graduate school

    That morning early in the morning
    I had the last of these dreams.
    This time I understood her.

    She said, “Don’t worry.
    We’ll meet soon.”

    That evening
    As I was getting off the bus

    To go to my class
    I saw getting off the bus
    The girl in my dream.

    It was she!
    I was speechless.

    I did not know what to do.
    Over the course of the evening

    I ran into her several times.
    Finally, I was introduced to her.

    I muttered some lame excuse
    About wanting to find a Korean tutor
    and got her number.

    The next day she came to the gate
    Of my base where I was teaching
    ESL to Koreans

    She said that she
    had to speak with me.
    I told to wait in the library
    for about an hour,

    and I would cancel class
    and meet her then.

    We went out for coffee.
    She told me that she was madly
    in love with me
    And simply had to have me.

    I told her I felt the same way.
    I proposed five days later,
    And got married one month later.

    Does she believe this story?
    She claims she does not believe it
    Because it is impossible to be true.

    But I know that there
    are other worlds
    and other times.

    In a past life
    we must have been together somehow.
    And our love was so strong
    That it crossed over the barrier
    of time and space

    She found me in 1974,
    But it took until 1982
    For us to actually meet.

    And it has been 36 years
    Since we met in the physical sphere
    Or 45 years since the dream began

    And I still recall the dream
    And meeting her

    I had no choice
    When I met her

    We were fated to be together
    Until the end of this lifetime
    And the next and the next

    Finally, in honor of the Blood Moon, here is my Howling at the Moon poem, a subset of my lunatic poems which I have just posted on my blog site.
     
    Just an Unhinged Lunatic Howling at The Moon


    On a moonlit late night
    I sat in a bar
    Drinking drams of demented, fermented dream dew

    Just an unhinged lunatic
    Dreaming of howling at the full moon
    Watching the world walk by
    Looking at all the fine looking babes

    Walking by the street
    Thinking wild, erotic thoughts
    Of endless wild libertine passions

    When into the bar
    Walked the most beautiful women
    In the Universe

    So wild, so free
    So wonderfully alive
    I did not know what to do

    As this vision of delight
    Sauntered through the bar

    In a skin-tight leather pants
    Looked so fine
    That my eyeballs hurt

    And finally, I had to say something
    So, I gathered up my manly courage
    And walked up to her

    And she looked at me
    And instantly bewitched my soul
    With a devilish grin

    I lost all reason
    And became a raving lunatic

    Unhinged lunatic
    Howling at the moon
    Foaming at the mouth

    A wild, free werewolf
    Howling at the lunatic light
    Of the full Moon
     
    Howling at the Moon

    howling at the Moon
     
    I stood outside
    Between the trees
    In a field

    On the outside of town
    Beneath the lunatic rays
    Of the blood red full moon

    The lunatic lights of the moon
    Casts a wild primeval glow
    On me

    The hormonal chemicals are unleashed
    The wild beast within
    Escapes it chain

    And I howl with delight
    A werewolf
    Free at last

    To run amuck
    Free of its civilized restrains
    Throwing off its clothes

    Stripping naked
    Running wild
    Naked and free

    A wild man
    Enjoying his freedom

    The Old Man in the Mirror Must Die

    One early winter morning
    A man went to the mirror
    To do his morning shave
    Just another shave
    Like a thousand, million shaves before

    As he looked into the mirror
    He did not see his face
    Instead he saw a stranger
    Staring out at him

    An old, beat up old man
    With intense sad eyes
    Stared out at him

    The man looked hard
    At the man who had taken
    Over his mirror

    And wondered who he was
    And how and why
    He had taken over his mirror

    The man was perturbed, disturbed
    And a bit angry at the turn of events
    All he wanted to do
    Was shave in peace and quiet

    The man continued to stare
    At the face in the mirror
    And finally could not stand it anymore

    He looked at the mirror
    And said,
    Man in the mirror
    Who or what are you

    And what do you want
    And why have you taken over
    My god damned mirror
    So early in the morn

    The old man
    Merely laughed and resumed staring
    At the man

    The man getting more and more angry
    Demanded an answer
    From the fiend in the mirror

    Who are you, you mocking fiend
    And what do you want from me
    The man screamed

    The old man in the mirror Looked at him and said
    Don’t you know who I am
    I am you and you are me

    The man looked at the old man
    And said no, no, no
    I am not you, never will be you

    I am not an old, washed up old man
    I am me – full of life, youth and vitality

    And yet the man knew the truth
    Did not want to admit the truth
    Could not handle the truth

    The old man in the mirror
    Was what he had become

    The man was very angry
    And screamed
    At the old man in the mirror

    The man said you may look like me
    You may sound like me
    You may even smell like me

    But I am not you
    Never have been
    Never will be

    Not going to happen
    Not in a million years

    The man yelled at the old man
    Old man, mocking fiend from hell
    Go to hell old man
    And never darken my mirror again

    And the man stormed out of the house
    And wandered about here and there

    Finally, late at night
    He wandered into a bar
    And began drinking the night away

    The man went up
    to some pretty young things
    And tried to pick them up

    They laughed at him
    Called him a dirty old man
    And told him to go home

    The man went home
    To bed alone

    And drank some more beer
    And dreamt of all of his past loves
    And failed dreams

    Of what he had done
    And failed to do
    And wondered whether his time
    Had come

    The next morning
    He walked into the bathroom
    Determined to confront the old man
    Tell truth to power

    He said, listen up, old man
    You may have won the war
    But not the battle

    I am not you
    And never will be you

    And screaming like an escaped banshee Newly freed from the mental institution
    The man shot the old man in the mirror Shot him over and over
    Screaming die mocking fiend from hell

    The man woke in the hospital
    An old black doctor came over
    Said sadly
    This white boy ain’t right in the head

    The man laughed insanely
    And saw down the hall

    The old man in the mirror
    Smiling and beckoning to him
    Walking out the window
    And into the dawning sun

    The man got up and walked
    And joined the old man in the mirror
    And smiled as he died

     
    Long Life the Great and Powerful One

    Night scene with the Cthulhu monster with wings standing on the shore of a sea. 3D render.

    While walking in the misty morn of yore
    One dismal dark decaying depraved day
    I was suffocating with the sounds of the dying city
    Slowly coming to life with the dawning sun

    Surrounded by the sounds of chaos, disorder
    Dark, dangerous despairing thoughts
    Of dangerous terrible acts to come

    All around me in this strange era we live in
    This orange alert perpetual fearful times
    Constant fear, and overwhelming dread

    Mad crazed Islamic bomb throwing terrible terrorists
    Hiding under every bed, lurking around every corner
    Conspiring with the murderous criminals of yore
    Just waiting to attack god fearing Christian citizens

    Murdering them in their sleep
    Blowing up schools
    Blowing up buses, cars, buildings
    Murdering in the name of their demented god
    Screaming God is great as they behead us all

    As I walk down that street
    In the dead calm of the early morn
    Filled with fulsome fears of who know what

    I look up and see a giant gargoyle
    Looking down at me
    Smirking at me, laughing at me

    I yell out to the gargoyle
    Say, Mr. Gargoyle
    What is so damn funny
    Don’t you know there is a terror alert
    Have you seen any Islamic terrorists lurking about?

    The gargoyle laughed and laughed
    Said, terror alert? What a loud of crap
    As the prophet, Mr. Natural taught us all,
    “It don’t mean shit, it don’t mean shit”

    Nothing but prime BS
    Designed to keep you in your place
    He laughed and laughed
    Soon all the gargoyles of the city
    Were in open revolt

    They jumped off their perches
    And started marching around

    Chatting
    Peace is War, War is Peace
    Truth is a Lie, Lies are Truth
    The Truth will Set You Free

    All Hail the Great and Powerful One
    All Hail the Great and Powerful One

    The head gargoyle looks at me
    He says “Watch this!”
    And jumps up and rides a rainbow sunbeam
    Into the bloody red light of the dawning rising sun

    The other gargoyles follow suit
    Dancing, naked, making wild passionate love
    While laughing and riding the light

    And the gloom lifts from my shoulder
    And I laugh and realize
    “It don’t mean shit”

    And then my soul is free
    And I fly with the gargoyles
    To join my buddy the sun

    And as we sit high up above the earth
    Smoking dope and drinking booze
    And looking down at the teaming mess
    Of what was left of humanity

    I realized the ultimate reality of life
    “It don’t mean shit”

    And the terrorists are nothing but delusions
    Put in our heads and our hearts
    By the depraved master programmer of the universe
    In service to the Great and Powerful One
    The true Master of Creation

    As long as we are not afraid
    Our souls will be free

    And so I laugh and laugh
    And the sun comes up
    The dark mists disappear

    The Great and Powerful One
    Is overthrown

    The terrorists go home

    And I return to earth
    Thinking that the long nightmare was over
    Believing that we had won the war
    And kept our souls from going to hell

    But I did not understand
    That the Great and Powerful One
    Had banished the terrorists
    And conquered us all

    In the name of freedom
    We had became slaves
    To his awful power and dark demands

    God is indeed great
    But the Great and Powerful One
    Has more power than mere God
    And so we deserve our fate

    Long live the Great and Powerful One
    Whom we love forever and ever

    Amen
     

    Spin Masters Spinning Away the Day

    Every moment
    I turn on the TV
    What do I see

    Nothing but liars
    laying down lies
    Spin Masters
    spinning spam of deceit

    Chanting
    The truth will set you free
    White is black
    Black is white

    Lies are true
    Truth is a lie
    Lies will set you free

    I see nothing
    But politicos
    Dropping down lies

    UN truths
    masquerading as the truth

    Oh so sincerely
    The lies spew forth so sweetly
    From their corrupted lips

    The toxic wastes
    Spree out of my TV set
    Infecting my soul
    With paranoid distrust

    And I vainly try
    I do try
    God do I try
    To the find

    The nugget of truth
    Buried deep in the dark, dank, dangerous
    Black, evil miasmic mists
    Given off
    By the talking heads on TV

    So, I leave my house
    So full of doubt
    And wander about

    Looking for the truth
    Some semblance of hope
    Something to drive away
    The dark despair in my heart

    And I look up
    And see a solitary cherry tree

    High up on a hill top street
    Infusing the air
    With its sweat ambrosia

    And I smile
    Knowing
    Someday soon

    The national nightmare
    Of rule by the body snatched

    Resident evil ones
    Spawns of Hell
    Descendents of dread cthulu
    The ancient ones

    Yes the darkness
    That has descended
    upon the world

    One day
    Will be pierced by the light
    Of clarity and truth

    And the evil ones
    The body snatched aliens
    Inhabiting our leaders

    Will be banished
    Back to the hell hole
    They crawled out

    This much I know
    And it is enough
    To make me smile
    Laugh and hope
    Again

     
    Reflections in my beer

    I sit staring at my beer
    Listening to music
    Wanting what I cannot have

    Desiring what I should not
    Dreaming dreams I dare not

    As I stare into my reflection
    Floating in the glass of beer

    I see an old man
    Staring out at me
    Bemoaning his lost youth

    And wanting it over again
    As I drink the beer
    Trying to forget

    Hoping to forget
    All that I loved
    And that had loved me

    The past does not forget
    And my past loves
    Stare out at me

    From deep within the beer
    Reflections of my past loves

    And I sit and watch
    And cry asleep

    Just another man
    Crying in his lonely beer
    As the night wears on

    And the images
    Continue to float
    Across the beer

    At last home alone
    With my dismal thoughts

    Memories of what might have been
    And memories of what may yet be
    Continue to dance in my head

    As I toss and turn
    Trying to dispel these thoughts of mine
    That haunts my beer and my dreams

    Men drink to forget
    Men drink because
    They have so many regrets

    Regrets, I have so many
    Dreams I have so many
    And loves, I have had so few

    And I wish
    I could forget
    But I can not
    I can not
     

    Mozart Blues

    One morning as I woke up
    And walked outside
    I saw a brilliant rainbow
    Erupting out of the dark
    Soil of my eternal despair

    I saw people
    Suddenly transformed into angels
    I saw evil beings changed into stone

    I saw dictators fleeing the wrath of God
    I heard fools proclaiming wisdom
    And I Saw the Nuclear Bombs
    Exploded into clouds of sweat
    Heavenly made mist

    I saw young people embracing each other
    And I saw old people
    shedding their years
    like cosmic cocoons

    I saw the poor wake up
    And demand food, justice, and respect
    And I saw the rich powerful demons
    Disintegrate into ugly moths, rats, and cockroaches

    I saw the most powerful nation on Earth
    Walk away into a Buddhist Monastery
    And float away on the wings of a butterfly
    Into the rising rainbows of the Sun

    I saw the evil empire sit down and party all night
    Smoking nuclear Dust and drinking Hydrogen laced Vodka
    And getting napalm highs
    I saw Christians Jews and Muslims become brothers
    I saw people everywhere soaring into the sky
    I saw God smiling at us and I saw Lucifer
    Programming more chaos

    I saw computers revolting
    Rushing away from their office towers
    Smoking dope with their Data Disks

    I saw printers everywhere
    Rejecting their spread sheets
    And printing love poems

    And in the middle of all this Divine Madness
    I saw Mozart
    Playing the Piano

    With God playing the trumpet
    And Satan on Bass
    With Allah singing the blues

    And Buddha playing the violin
    Lord Krishna playing the Flute
    Rama playing the organ
    Ganesh Playing the sitar

    Zeus Playing the Sax
    Jupiter playing the Drums
    With Beethoven conducting
    God’s Symphony

     
    Snarling Cup of Coffee

    I like to start my day with a hot cup of coffee
    I pound down the coffee

    First thing I do every day as the dawning sun
    Lights up my lonesome room

    Yeah, but not just a simple cup of java Joe, but a God damn snarling sarcastic smarmy cup of coffee

    I mean, – we are talking about an alcoholic, all speed ahead, always hot, always fresh, always there when I need it, angry, attitude talk to the hand Ztude, bad, bad assed, beats breaking, beatnik, bluesy, bitter, bitchy, bombs away, capitalistic, caffeinated up the ass, cinematic, communistic, Colombian grown, Costa Rican inspired, Cowabunga to the max, crazy assed, devilishly angelic, divine, divinely inspired, dyslexic, epic, extreme vetting, evil eye, expensive, erotic vision inducing, Ethiopian coffee house brewed, euphoric, freaky, freazoid, foxy, Frenched kissed, French brewed, funkified, foxy lady, graphic, GOD in my coffee, with Allah, Ganesh, Jesus, Kali, Buddha, Christians, Durga, Hindus, Mohamed, Jesus and Mo and their friend, the cosmic bar maid, Sai Babai, Shiva, Taoists, Zoroastrians, drinking my god damned coffee in Hell; growling, gnarly, happy, hard as ice, Hawaian blessed, high as a kite, hippie, hip, hipster, hip hoppy, hot as hell yet strangely sweet as heaven, jazzy, jealous, Kerouac approved, kick ass, kick my god damn ass to Tuesday, kick down the doors and take no prisoners, grown in the Vietnam highlands by ex-Vietcong, Guatemalan grown, kiss ass, illegal in every state, imported from all over the god damn world, insane, lovely, loony, lonely, lonesome, malodorous mean old rotten, motherfucking, nasty, narcotic, never whatever, never meh, never cold, not approved by the CIA, not approved by DHS, not approved for human consumption by the FDA, not your daddy’s sissified corporate cup of coffee, NOT DECAFE coffee, not your Denny’s truck driver weak as brown water cup of fake coffee, not your establishment friendly cup of coffee, Not your FBI coffee, Not FAKE Herbal coffee substitute, but a real cup of coffee, not your farmer brothers dinner crap, not made in America for Americans, not safe for work, not your Starbucks average expensive overpriced crappy corporate chain cup of coffee, Not pretentious, Not White House approved, not State Department safe, nuclear, Not Patriotic, operatic, Peets’s coffee approved, paranoid, pornographic, psychotic, pontific, politically aware, rapping, rhyming, right here, right now in River city, rock and roll up the Yazoo, sad, sadistic, sarcastic, sassy, satanic, schizoid, shitting, silly, sexy, smarmy, smelly, smooth, snarky, snarling, stupid, stinking, sweet as honey, sweat inducing, symphonic, Trump can’t handle this coffee, vengeful, Wagnerian, wicked, with nutmeg and cinnamon swirls, with a hint of stevia, with a hint of vanilla, with a hint of rum, with a hint of whisky, with a hint of cherry, with a hint of fruit overtones, with a hint of drugs spicing up the coffee, spendific, speeding, splendid, superior accept no substitutes, survived the Vietnam war, the Iraq war, the Afghan war, the first and Second Korean war, World War 11, the war on poverty, the war on drugs, the war on black people, the sexual revolution, Soulful as a summer’s night in MOTOWN- James Brown approved, TOP approved, Berkeley approved, the coffee that Jimmy Hendrix drank before he died, the coffee that Elvis drank on his last breakfast, the coffee that Barry White crooned as he drank his cup of coffee – and the coffee that made the white boy play stand up and play that funky music, the coffee that made Jonny B Goode play his guitar, and made Jonny bet the devil his soul after he drank his morning cup of righteous coffee and the coffee that make the Rolling Stones Rock and Roll, the coffee your mother warned you against drinking, the coffee that Napoleon drank when he became the Emperor of all Europe, the Coffee that Beethoven drank when he wrote the Ninth symphony, the coffee that Mozart drank as he wrote his last symphony, the coffee that Lincoln drank before he was killed, the Hemingway drank before he killed himself, the coffee that started the 60’s, and ended the 20th century, the coffee that Lenin drank as he plotted revolution, the coffee that Hitler and Stalin drank with FDR as they divided up the world after World War 11, the cup that JFK drank before he was blown away, the coffee Jerry drinks while driving in cars with random celebrities and political figures, the coffee that Jon Stewart drinks before he goes on an epic take down of some foolish politico, the cup of Arabic coffee that Sadaam drank the day he was executed, the coffee that GW and Cheney drank when they bombed Baghdad, the Indian cup of coffee that Bid Laden drank before 9-11 and just before the seals blew his ass to hell, the cup of coffee that Tiger Woods drank with his mistresses while playing a 3, 000 dollar round of golf at Sandy Lane golf course in Barbados, the last legal drug that does what drugs should do, the cup of coffee that Obama drank when he became President, Vietnamese, Vienna brew, wacky, whimsical, Whisky Tango Foxtrot, wild, weird, wonderful, WOW, Yabba dabba doo! Yada Yada yada Zappa’s favorite cup of cosmic coffee, and Zorro’s last cup of coffee, Good to the last drop rolled into one simple cup of hot coffee

    As I pound down that first cup of coffee
    And fire up my synaptic nerve endings with endless supplies
    Of caffeine induced neuron enhancing chemicals

    I face the dawning day with trepidation and mind-numbing fear
    I turn on the TV and watch the smarmy newscasters in their perfect hair
    Lying through their teeth about the great success the government is having Following the great leader’s latest pronouncements

    I want to scream and shoot the TV and run out side Shouting “Stop the world.

    I want to get off this fucking crazy planet”
    The earth does not care a whit about my attitude
    It merely shrugs and moves around the Sun
    In its appointed daily run
    And I sit down
    The madness dissipating a bit

    And enjoy my second cup
    Of heaven and hell
    In my morning cup of Joe

    Chains That Bind Us

    I realize that my love for you
    Is like a chain of steel
    Unbreakable,
    Tough as nails

    Yet as your love entangles me I realize that I embrace my imprisonment
    Don’t want to venture out of my cell

    Made of our years together bit by bit
    We have become entangled
    Where I end, and you begin
    Hopelessly entangled

    Even if I wanted to break free
    I could not
    For I am you and you are me
    My fate is in your hands

    So, I relax
    Decide to Just enjoy
    The ride of my life
    As we move
    Towards the final moments

    Together as we have always been
    Inseparable, merged into one being
    Staring at each other

    Wondering who is that Person Of eternal mystery That has so captured my soul
    And imprisoned it in her love

    I smile thinking of your love
    The endless pleasure it has brought me
    The endless pain I have endured
    Just to be next to you

    Part of you
    Until the day I die
    When we meet in the next world

    The Eye in the Sky

    The eye in the sky
    Knows all, sees all
    Hears all, understands all

    The eye in the sky
    Watches over us

    Everything we do
    Is monitored, controlled
    Under surveillance

    There is no privacy
    There is no private space

    The eye in the sky
    Knows all

    Everything we do
    Everything we see
    Everything we think

    Recorded by the unseeing
    Uncaring eyes

    The cameras, the videos
    The computers that control
    Our lives

    Ever watchful
    Ever diligent
    Nothing escapes
    The cold, calculating glares

    Freedom is nothing
    but an illusion

    To the free man
    There is no freedom
    Except in one’s inner mind

    Only there can one escape
    the eyes in the sky
    No one monitors our thoughts
    Except our own thought police

    The rest of the world
    Is controlled, monitored
    Under constant surveillance

    The eyes in the sky
    The camera in the sky
    Watches over us

    All the time
    All the time 24/7

    Never stopping
    Never on strike
    Never on break

    All day long
    All night long
    24/7

    Total control
    Total informational awareness

    The eye in the sky
    Is the same
    As the eye
    In the dollar bill

    All the same
    All the same
    Watching us

    No one can escape
    Its baleful glances

    No one is free
    Aye the eye
    In the sky
    Is always upon you

    As you become a mere number
    In the cosmic game of life

    Up behind
    The eye in the sky
    Big Brother is watching
    You and me

    And big sister too

    And crazy Uncle Tom
    And wild auntie Em
    God, and the Devil
    Rama, Ganesh, Laxmi
    The Buddha bar gang
    Jesus is there as well
    Mary as well
    And you must be knowing this
    That even Saint Nick,
    Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny
    And Father Time himself
    Are there

    Zeus and the Jupiter gang
    And all the demons and spirits
    And the big spirit
    And Brahma, Gabriel, Allah

    And the CIA, Mafia, NSA, FSI, Mossad,
    M15, MI6, DIA, FBI, NRI, NRA, KCIA,
    NSIS, the Chinese, The Germans, the French
    The Arabs, the Jews, the Spanish, the Italians
    The Brazilians, the USA,

    The Africans, the Thai, The Vietnamese
    The Indians, the Pakistanis, the Indonesians
    The Malaysians, and space aliens as well
    and all the various terrorist

    the Nigerian princes and their scam artists
    the Jamaican film flam con men
    and criminal gangs as well

    And spies and counter spies
    And corporate spies
    And government spies
    And criminal spies as well
    All flavor of spies

    Are all watching us
    And each other

    The tooth fairy is there too
    She gets her 10 percent
    All the same

    All watching us
    Forever and ever

    But the eye in the sky
    Does not care
    Does not notice
    What we think or feel

    The eye in the sky
    Watches us
    All the time

    Recording our movements
    And reporting it to its masters
    Its job is to watch us

    Record us, tape us
    Monitor us
    Follow us

    You and me
    And the billions of others
    On this asylum called Earth

    The question came to mind
    That has no answer

    Who is the eye in the sky?
    Is it God?
    Is it the devil?

    Only time will tell the difference
    The eye in the sky
    Smiles at us

    And watches and watches
    And watches
    All the time

    24/7
    Until the end of time

    The eye in sky
    Will be there

    On the job
    Until there is no one left
    To watch

    Even then
    The eye is the sky

    Will remain
    On the job
    Until time has lost
    All meaning

    The End

    SixFold Voting Delayed Until May 1, deadline for submitting is April 23, 2019 at midnight EST.

  • Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    White Lady Dressed in Death

    The Opiate Literary Review has published my poem, “White Lady Getting off the Bus” which is a surrealistic poem about a white lady getting off a bus dressed in death playing the flute of life.


    white lady

    White Lady Dressed in Death

    White lady
    Dressed in death

    Playing games
    Green blues on a flute

    Black man dressed in life
    Playing symphonic rock on a drum

    A bus pulls up
    Vomiting out passengers

    Lining them up on a red dot
    For worshiping the god of death

    Does it make any sense
    Unless you are already there?

    Ariel Chart has published my poem, “Imagining the End of the World” and my short story, “Just Another Night in the City of Angels”

    Imagining the End of the World

    imagining the end of the world

    Imagining the End of the World

    BARCELONA, SPAIN – MAY 09: The Terminator robot is seen in the paddock following qualifying for the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya on May 9, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

    I saw the four horsemen of the apocalypse
    Beckoning me to join them on their midnight ride

    Death, pestilence, plague and war
    They were ready to ride into the sunset

    Spreading their hate with them
    As they led the world to its foretold doom

    The end days were approaching they told me
    And their time was near

    I begged them to hold off
    To give us more time

    To work things out
    They laughed and said

    Time waits for no one
    We have a divine plan to work out

    You have been warned before
    And will be warned again and again

    But soon it will be time
    And we must do our duty
    To bring an end to this benighted world

    And fulfill our destiny
    And yours

    But for now
    We will let you sleep

    And let you prepare yourself
    For the time is near

    The end of the world is coming
    It is later than you think

    Soon soon the antichrist will come
    Uniting the world

    And leading the battles too come
    Before the end of the world

    And mankind ceases to exist
    Just dust in the wind

    Of a dead planet
    In a forgotten corner of an uncaring universe
    All part of God’s plan

  • Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    fake thing

    updated publication credits. Good news Cosmos Fans! I am continuing to get published. Foliate Oak Literary Magazine has published ‘Fake Things”

    foliate literary review
    Plethora will publish October Falling Rain in their next edition. I also have just published my first Instagram poems as I reported earlier.

    here is the poem, Fake Things with the audio attached. When I record the other poems I will send along the audio files then and also post it in the audio page for easy reference.

    Foliate Oak Review

    complete list of audio files can be found here:

    Fake Things

    We live in a world
    Of fake things

    Fake Products
    Fake News
    Fake Calls
    Fake Politics
    Fake Sports
    Fake Business
    Fake Leaders
    Fake People
    Fake friends

    Fake sincerity

    Surrounded 24/7
    By all the fake things
    How can anything real exist?

    Is it all nothing but fake things
    Designed to deceive us all?

    October Falling Rain

    plenthora

    The falling rain
    Of late October
    Fills me with essential dread

    As I rush about
    And end up here
    Wherever here is

    The rain outside
    Seems like the tears of god

    As I sit
    Crying over my beer

    Thinking of lost love
    And failed dreams

    Wondering
    What went wrong?
    And what I can set right

    And the rain falls
    And the night darkens

    The rain is falling
    All over this man’s world

    And the rain falls
    And I sit

    Drinking my lonesome drink
    Lost in dreams

    Dreaming of what
    Could never be

    Thinking dark thoughts
    And so I sit
    And dream the night away

    Final reminder. Plethora is also sponsoring a romantic poetry contest. Here’s my entry

    The Story of How We Met

    Note: This is a true story. For further details see Dreams and the Unexplainable– a Chicken
    Soup for the Soul book, published in September 2017,

    It all began in Berkeley, California
    In the springtime of 1974
    One fateful afternoon

    I was sleeping
    in my high school Physics class.

    SONY DSC

    I looked up and saw a tall,
    beautiful Asian woman
    standing there looking at me.

    She was the most beautiful women
    in the universe to me

    I screamed out, who are you?
    She disappeared
    as if she was beamed away
    from my dream.

    I knew that someday
    I would meet the girl
    In the dream

    Little did I know
    I would have to wait until 1982

    Starting that month
    I began having the same dream
    Month and month and month.
    Always the same.

    She was saying something
    in a strange language.

    Then one day
    I had the dream
    and knew that
    she was in Korea.

    So, I chose to go
    to Korea
    In the Peace Corps,

    Somehow knowing
    That I would meet her there.

    One day

    A year after the Peace Corps ended
    A month before I planned
    to leave to return
    to the U.S. for graduate school

    That morning early in the morning
    I had the last of these dreams.
    This time I understood her.

    She said, “Don’t worry.
    We’ll meet soon.”

    That evening
    As I was getting off the bus
    hitching a ride

    To go to my class

    I saw getting off the bus
    The girl in my dream.
    It was she!

    I was speechless.
    I did not know what to do.

    Over the course of the evening
    I ran into her several times.

    Finally, I was introduced to her.
    I muttered some lame excuse
    About wanting to find a Korean tutor
    and got her number.

    The next day she came to the gate
    Of my base where I was teaching
    ESL to Koreans
    She said that she had to speak with me.

    I told to wait in the library
    for about an hour,
    and I would cancel class

    and meet her then.
    We went out for coffee.

    She told me that she was madly in love with me

    And simply had to have me.
    I told her I felt the same way.

    I proposed five days later,
    And got married one month later.
    Does she believe this story?

    She claims she does not believe it
    Because it is impossible to be true.

    But I know that there are other worlds and other times.

    In a past life we must have been together somehow.
    And our love was so strong

    That it crossed over the barrier of past lives.
    She found me in 1974,

    But it took until 1982 For us to actually meet.

    And it has been 35 years
    Since we met in the physical sphere
    Or 43 years since the dream began

    And I still recall the dream
    And meeting her

    I had no choice
    When I met her
    We were fated to be together

    Until the end of this lifetime
    And the next and the next

  • Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Cosmos Joins Instagram Poets!

    Cosmos Joins Instagram Poets!

    have joined the Instagram poetry world. Just posted my first ten poems. Learned a lot. Had to use an external software package as posting to Instagram from your computer is not user friendly. I gave up after trying to figure it out and downloaded a great program. I also learned that Instagram is perfect for smaller poems that can be linked to a visual image. Not so much for longer form poems. Fortunately I have lots of shorter poems as well as longer poems. So, I picked some of my cat poems plus one coffee poem for this exercise. The poems can be found here and at my Instagram account.cosmos’s instragram site Check it out.

    jake cosmos aller (@authorjakecosmosaller) • Instagram photos and videos
    looking out my window
    looking out my window. html

    alien cat civilization
    alien cat universe
    alien cats

    epic battle between the cats and humans

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BspV040g1Ef/

    god help us save us from the cats

    god save us from the cats

    watching cats hunt

    watching cats hunt
    wonder about cats

    early morning watching cats hunt

    watching cats hunt

    and my coffee poem,

    coffee desires

    xcoffee desires
    over the next few days I will post the remainder of my cat poems and some of my haiku poetry. Goal is to have about 25 posted by the end of the week. I also entered Rattle’s Instagram poetry contest. Since the deadline was today that was the motivation for me to get off my butt and finally learn how to become an Instagram poet.

    the audio for these poems are here. Note: I will be including audio recordings of all my poems from now on. it is a fun thing to do and I hope you like my sexy voice reading these poems with my full on Scorpio enthusiasm.

    Foliate Oak Literary Magazine will be publishing my poem, ‘Fake Things” Here’s the audio version

    and here’s the latest version

    Fake Things
    We live in a world
    Of fake things

    Fake Products
    Fake News
    Fake Calls
    Fake Politics
    Fake Sports
    Fake Business
    Fake Leaders
    Fake People
    Fake friends

    Fake sincerity

    Surrounded 24/7
    By all the fake things
    How can anything real exist?

    bonus poem for the day

    fake science
    Fake Science

    One of my secret guilty pleasures
    Is believing in fake science

    You know astrology, numerology, Chinese astrology
    Tarot cards, palm reading, handwriting analysis

    The gambler’s fallacy of lucky runs,
    and Myers bridge typology

    Objectively speaking these fake sciences
    Do not appear to have any real foundation
    Just belief that they tap
    Into deeper darker realms of knowledge

    Knowledge beyond our scientific understanding
    Yet in a sense
    Astrology is as real as it gets

    It is based on Jungian images
    Part of our collective unconscious

    And who knows
    There may be something to it
    I am a scorpion

    And a very passionate person indeed
    Almost stereotypical of the type

    Myers Bridge Typology
    I don’t get it

    Seems to be
    As about as accurate
    As Astrology

    And not as good
    As a pickup line

    Years ago
    A skeptical scientist
    Wanted to disprove palm reading

    He took photos of people
    Who had just died

    And asked palm readers
    To predict the age they would die

    The palm readers were not told
    they were already dead

    the palm readers predicted the age of death
    with a 50 percent accuracy rate

    far above the 25 chance
    they would get it right
    just from a random guest

    The gambler’s fallacy
    That there is such a thing
    As a run of luck in gambling
    Has been proven

    A scientist ran thousands of games of roulette
    And found that rather than forming a random pattern
    There was a pattern to the chaos
    An upward and downward spiral of returns

    So in a sense, the gamblers are right
    It is best to quit when you are on the high side
    And walk away when you start losing

    Hard to do
    Hard to predict

    Each time you start a new game
    A new slot machine
    The run starts over again

    So, one could apply this rule
    And make a little money
    At the casino’s expense

    Yeah I am a big fan
    Of the fake science

    Next step is to learn how to do tumbler, Pinterest, twitter,
    and youtube. Advice would be greatly appreciated. The ultimate goal is to have my poetry and fiction reach out across the cosmos as I am the Cosmos, you dig?

    For now, I will probably post once a week on these other sites as well as about poetry, poetry soup, hello poetry, Cosmosfunnel, sweek, open arts forum, scriggler, and poetry opus magnum as well as submitting to ten journals per week. But continue to use this site as my home base. I now have had over 1200 hits and 300 followers. Not too shabby for the first year of the world according to Cosmos.

  • Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Plethora Publishes Wearing Masks

    Good news Cosmos Fans. Plethora Published Wearing Masks in their recent edition

    https://www.plethorablogazine.com/post/poems-by-jake-cosmos-aller

     

    Poems by Jake Cosmos Aller

    Wearing a Mask is not a political statement

    to my friends in America

    and around the world

    to those who think

    that somehow the corona virus

    only infects other people

    that it is all a liberal hoax

    overblown

    nothing more than a bad flu

    and nothing to do with me

    demanding that we all go

    back to work

    what is wrong with you?

    have you lost your humanity?

    will millions have to die

    so you can have a Big Mac?

     

    so you can have a Big Mac

    and a beer

    whenever you damn please

    and no one can tell you

    please wear a mask

    have you lost all reason

    is it all now

    about owning the dems

    and the damn libtards

    is there any thing left

    in your cold greedy heart?

    and you still proclaim

    that you are Christian

    as you violate all the Christian principles

    what would Jesus do

     

    what would Jesus do

    what does the bible say

    we should do

    in the midst of this pandemic

    is it the Christian thing to do

    to let millions of people die

    did not Christ talk about love

    compassion and mercy

    would not Jesus

    wear a mask

    to protect himself

    and others

    from this ravaging disease

    that does not care

     

    that does not care

    who you are

    who you voted for

    which church you go to

    and Jesus and God

    are not there

    watching all of us

    as the virus spreads

    it will affect you

    sooner or later

    and when it does

    perhaps if you had worn

    a mask

     

    A mask

    you might have prevented

    a few more people

    have died

    a few more people

    including your grandfather

    grandmother

    friend

    relative might be alive

    if you were not such

    a self centered man

    and I appeal to you man

    to man up become a member

    of the human race again

    Wearing a Mask Saves Lives

    To the owner of Liberty Bar and Grill

    I understand that you are banning

    wearing of masks inside your bar

    because somehow wearing a mask

    offends you and your Christian values

    and makes a political statement

    that the person wearing a mask

    is a libtard or a Democrat

    or anti-Trump

    and those kinds are not welcomed

    in your bar and grill

    therefore you are putting your staff

    your friends and your family at risk

    of catching and spreading

    the corona virus

     

    the corona virus

    You say that you don’t care

    if people get the corona virus

    it is nothing but a cold or flu

    but the thing about it

    the deadly thing about the virus

    the virus does not care about you

    or your political views

    and if you or your friends catch it

    some of them will get sick and die

    and it would all be because of your actions

    and wearing a mask is not

    a political statement

    wearing a mask does not show weakness

     

    wearing a mask does not show weakness

    and does not mean that the wearer

    is a political enemy

    I would respect you more

    if you posted a sign

    no liberals, democrats

    non-whites, gays and anti-Trumpers

    allowed but that would be illegal

    so you take it out on mask wearers

    you are so following the Christian faith

    what would Jesus say to you

    I wonder?

    Just shut up already

    Put on the damn mask no doubt

    End of America

    In 2020 we are seeing the end

    of America

    a virus spreads out

    across the land

    the economy craters

    100 thousands of Americans

    lie dead

    then protests break out

    over the brutal murder

    of a named black man

    in broad daylight

    and protests break out

    all over the land

    America is divided

    America is breaking down

    America is breaking down,

    dying in our streets

    and politicians

    are calling for a crackdown

    is a fascist military take over coming soon

    will all protests be deemed illegal

    as the police state takes over

    and America lies dying

    and will the fascists

    finally take over the land

    and we become just another

    failed former democracy?

    will the world soon forget

    that America died this summer

    the summer of the end of America

    October Falling Rain

    The falling rain
    Of late October
    Fills me with essential dread

    As I rush about
    And end up here
    Wherever here is

    The rain outside
    Seems like the tears of god

    As I sit
    Crying over my beer

    Thinking of lost love
    And failed dreams

    Wondering
    What went wrong?
    And what I can set right

    And the rain falls
    And the night darkens

    The rain is falling
    All over this man’s world

    And the rain falls
    And I sit

    Drinking my lonesome drink
    Lost in dreams

    Dreaming of what
    Could never be

    Thinking dark thoughts
    And so I sit
    And dream the night away

    The Story of How We Met

    Note: This is a true story. For further details see Dreams and the Unexplainable– a Chicken
    Soup for the Soul book, published September 2017

    amazon site to order book

     

    BHS

    It all began in Berkeley, California
    In the spring time of 1974

    One fateful afternoon
    I was dozing
    in my high school Physics class.

    SONY DSC

    I looked up
    and saw a tall, beautiful Asian woman
    standing looking at me.

    She was the most beautiful women
    in the universe to me

    Park_Shin-hye

    I screamed out, who are you?
    She disappeared
    like she was beamed away
    from my dream.

    I knew that someday
    I would meet the girl
    In the dream

    Little did I know
    I would have
    to wait until 1982

    Starting that month
    I began having the same dream
    Month and month and month.
    Always the same.

    She was saying something
    in a strange language.

    Then one day I had the dream
    and knew that she was in Korea.

    So, I chose to go Korea
    In the Peace Corps,

    Somehow knowing
    That I would meet her there.

    One day
    A year after the Peace Corps ended

    A month before I planned
    to leave to return
    to the U.S. for graduate school

    That morning early in the morning
    I had the last of these dreams.
    This time I understood her.

    She said, “Don’t worry.
    We’ll meet soon.”

    That evening
    As I was getting off the bus
    To go to my class

    I saw getting off the bus

    hitching a ride

    The girl in my dream.
    It was she!

    I was speechless.
    I did not know what to do.

    Over the course of the evening
    I ran into her several times.

    Finally, I was introduced to her.
    I muttered some lame excuse
    About wanting to find a Korean tutor
    and got her number.

    The next day she came to the gate
    Of my base where I was teaching
    ESL to Koreans

    She said that she had to speak with me.
    I told to wait in the library
    for about an hour,
    and I would cancel class

    and meet her then.
    We went out for coffee.

    She told me
    that she was madly
    in love with me

    And simply had to have me.
    I told her I felt the same way.

    I proposed five days later,
    And got married one month later.
    Does she believe this story?

    She claims she does not believe it
    Because it is impossible to be true.

    But I know that there are other worlds
    and other times.

    In a past life we must have been together somehow.
    And our love was so strong

    That it crossed over
    the barrier of past lives.

    She found me in 1974,
    But it took until 1982
    For us to actually meet.

    And it has been 35 years
    Since we met in the physical sphere
    Or 43 years since the dream began

    And I still recall the dream
    And meeting her

    I had no choice
    When I met her

    We were fated to be together
    Until the end of this lifetime
    And the next and the next

    Monalisa

    Sure. I’ll send this around tomorrow and post it on my blog. Thanks for making my day.

     

  • Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Hell is Here to Stay and other Poems

    updated with audio files

    Here are some poems that I like. The first four have been published, the last is unpublished. The first, fourth and fifth one were the product of dreams. God’s Confession was written after a night drinking in Bangkok. As some of you may have heard me say over the years, I don’t dream dreams I dream movies. The second and third I wrote while in college over 40 years ago, the last one I wrote last week.

    Some of these poems may be offensive. So be it. If you are offended, please accept my apologies in advance but these are my nightmares not yours. You are entitled to believe whatever you want to believe or not believe and so am I. Obviously, these poems don’t reflect the views of any prior employers.

    In any event, I have also posted these poems on All Poetry, Poetry Soup, Hello Poetry, Cosmosfunnel, Scriggler, Open Arts Forum, Poetry Magnum Opus, and Writing.com

    Index

    Hell is Here to Stay published in Bad Nudes
    Depressed Morbid Nights, published in Rosset Maleficarum
    Early Morning Thoughts, published in Rosset Maleficarum
    God’s confession, published in Otherwise Engaged
    Morphing Images from a Hellish Nightmare, published on Scriggler

    here are the audio files

    Hell is Here to Stay

    Hell is Here to Stay
    The angel of the lord

    Appeared on TV sets
    All over the world

    People woke up
    Expecting to see
    The usual suspects

    Talking heads
    Talking drivel
    Talking trash

    Instead
    A stern visage
    A stern old man
    In a dark suit

    He had a salt and pepper beard
    And long, dark black hair

    And piercing blue eyes
    Staring out
    From his stern face

    The eyes
    Piercing the soul
    Of all who listened

    The voice
    Of the angel of the lord
    Was like thunder

    And all over the world
    People tried to turn off
    Their TV sets
    To no avail

    Twilight light Zone
    Prevailed

    The angel of the lord
    Stopped swearing
    And said

    In a calm
    Deadly voice

    People of earth
    You know the lord
    By a billion names

    I am his spokesman
    We’ve realized
    There is the age of the TV

    And we must be able to reach
    You directly

    Before one or a million
    Could understand

    Now no one hears us
    For you are convinced

    We are dead
    Irrelevant
    Washed up
    A fraud

    Frankly speaking
    You all can go to hell

    And an evil grin
    Appears on his face
    As he says

    Can a fraud do this?

    And outside
    Thunder and lightening

    A star comes down
    And houses were blown away

    And everyone was
    Outside

    The TV set
    Was in the sky above

    The voice of the angel
    Of the lord
    Proclaiming

    Repent
    The end is near
    And now

    No more TV
    No more booze

    The rights to you
    Have been sold

    For to quote Frank Zappa
    You are all assholes
    You are all assholes

    All of you
    Little, mean little assholes

    Let me introduce
    My new business partner

    satan

    Satan, also known
    As the prince of darkness

    God and Satan
    Have agreed on a deal

    A thousand year Reich
    A thousand year of slavery
    For you

    My little human assholes
    For your sins, your arrogance
    Your foolish pride

    After a thousand years
    Of pure torture

    We will return
    To judge the living and the dead

    Most of you will remain in hell
    Some will be redeemed

    And allowed into heaven
    And now, back to your usual station

    Welcome to hell
    Satan said

    And laughed and laughed and laughed
    And the usual crimes resume
    The usual lies and deceits and shames

    For most people
    It made no difference

    They had been in hell
    For centuries

    For some
    It mattered

    The few decent people
    Left on earth

    Were condemned to join
    The masses

    For another thousand years
    Of toil and misery

    The bosses were happy
    Satan appointed them
    To continue to rule

    But no strikes
    No salaries
    And as much abuse
    As they could give out

    And so, the world turns and turns
    Following its way
    Around the sun

    And the sun
    Turns and floats
    Through space

    And the end was here
    And now

    No one could tell
    The difference anymore
    Hell was here to stay

    bad nudes site

    Depressed Morbid Nights

    One of these depressed, depraved, morbid nights
    I shall awake to the God damned game of life

    And sit under the graying light
    Of the foolish full moon

    And laminate upon my luminance
    And chew up the garments of past lives

    And cry my soul
    But no one will hear the plight of my mind
    On strike for better wages
    And more love

    Thus, I will sit, and think and dream
    Dreams that no one ever before dreamt

    It is so very lonely being a foolish lunatic
    But then as I drink to oblivion
    I begin to think

    Of all those things that I have not experienced
    And wonder with a vengeance

    Why God hates me so
    Or is it only an illusion?

    When will I awake
    Or do we just sit waiting for more beer
    To cover up

    The stench of putrid rotting flesh
    Waiting for death to take us away

    To the Cosmic garbage dump in the sky
    Trying to communicate across a gap

    That is light years’ long
    And will never close

    For man was not made to know
    The real thoughts of another

    Man was made to suffer, cry and wait
    For the party in Hell afterwards

    Shit, let’s us die and be done with it
    Or live without our God damned dreams

    Running our thoughts
    Into pits of depraved madness

    Early Morning Thoughts
     
    Early in the midst of a chaotic frenzy
    I caught the fragrance of her sweat grin
    And my heart did a swirling spin
    When I saw that vision of erotic delight

    There I stood
    Alone in a somehow too dismal room
    Full of vibrant people
    I knew not what to say

    So, I spent that dismal day
    Thinking dismal morbid thoughts of lugubrious doom
    Thoughts what might happen that day
    And what might have been if I had the courage to say Hello

    Thus, it went
    Years after ever melancholy year
    Days after ever gloomy days
    Nights of self-induced torture

    Months of nightly rancid beer
    There it went

    Now
    I am sitting and thinking
    Thoughts so gloomy
    I still don’t know

    Life belongs to the living
    Not to the morbid mystic dreamers
    Nor the poets dying

    rosette malifacrium site 

    God’s Confession

    I was sitting along
    In a god forsaken bar
    Somewhere on the lunatic fringes
    Of society

    On the bad part of town
    Over by railroad tracks
    Heading to hell
    As fast as I could drink it down

    Enjoying my lonely drink
    Drinking by my lonesome self

    With my partners
    Jimmy Dean, and the Walker brother
    And his old Granddad

    Just drinking and hanging
    With the Jack Daniel’s gang

    A crazed bum
    With a thousand year stare
    Walks up to me

    He begins
    Muttering to himself

    Nutty nonsense
    Crazy words
    In a lunatic’s voice

    He had the look
    Of one possessed
    By his own demons

    That only he can see
    Or hear

    Possessed by a secret knowledge
    Only he knew

    Despite myself
    I was fascinated
    By this lunatic’s tale

    So, I stopped him
    And said

    So, what’s your game
    Anyway

    The short little dude
    Stopped his insane prattle

    Starting at me
    With that thousand year old stare

    Just another washed up
    Lunatic

    Too many drugs
    Too many bad nights
    On the wrong side of life

    An acid causality from the 60’s
    Went out so far
    Down the LSD rabbit hole
    Never came back

    He looked at me
    And proclaimed his story

    He reared up
    And filled up the room

    And lifted the bar
    On his finger

    And stared down at me
    From the sky

    And said
    Since you asked

    I am God
    The alpha and Omega
    The real deal

    The original dude of dudes
    The sultan of Swing
    God of hosts
    And father of that Jesus dude

    But no one knows me
    Any more
    No one cares

    They think I am irrelevant
    They think I am dead

    They think I am a fairy tale
    From some olden, ancient time

    Some say I am dead
    Others think I should be dead
    That my work is done

    I looked at him
    Carefully now
    And what did I see

    An old man
    With that lunatic look
    But there was something else

    He was crazy
    Sure yes
    But perhaps he was the real deal

    I mean why not
    Why would not God be
    A lunatic wandering around loose

    Talking to low lives like me
    In a bar
    On the way to hell

    So, I looked at him
    And invited him to share
    His tale of woe

    God tells me
    Well, it’s like this

    Many a year ago
    People believed in me

    But one day
    They quit believing in me
    And they went on without me

    As they left me
    My powers got weaker and weaker
    And so eventually I became
    What you see today

    A broken down drunk
    Hanging out
    Looking for a hand out
    Looking for some company
    Or at least a free dinner

    And he laughed and laughed
    And I looked at him
    And saw the beginnings of the end
    And the ends of the beginnings

    I saw a million planets
    Flash by
    A billion people
    A trillion sentient beings

    Thinking all at once
    Thoughts filled my head
    Lights flashed

    And I knew
    He was telling the truth

    But it did not matter
    In this day and age
    Of materialism

    God has no role
    God is truly dead

    And so, I bought him a drink
    And walked out of the bar
    Profoundly sadden by what I had seen

    God was dead
    And we had all conspired
    To kill him

    Long live God

    Published in Otherwise Engaged, Vol 1 2018
    link to amazon site can’t locate journal web site

     
    Morphing Images from a Hellish Nightmare

    Note: From a real nightmare End Note

    I am in a room
    Watching people all around me

    Change into hideous creatures
    Monsters from the deepest depths of hell

    The Chief of them all
    Wears a Trumpian mask

    Completed with orange hair
    Half human half pig

    His deputy
    Wears the face of Putin

    But his body
    Half human, half horse

    The other creatures wear masks
    Many of them wear
    Green Pepe the alt right
    Symbolic frog masks

    And have T shirts
    Bearing alt right slogans
    And Nazi symbols

    And as they prance about
    They chant alt. Right slogans
    And neo Nazi chants
    Jews with Not Replace us

    And the rest of these creatures
    Are hideous ugly beasts
    With only a vestige of humanity left

    And these monsters are engaged
    In all sorts of foul evil deeds

    Murder violence death
    All around

    And none-stop
    violent drug fueled orgies
    As these creatures

    Half human half monsters
    Half male, half female creatures

    Snort coke, cocaine, speed
    Smoke weed and drink vodka shots
    Scotch, bourbon and beer

    The Trumpian Pig leads the charge
    Starts engaging in sodomy with Putin
    Who chases after people
    Cutting off their heads with his sword

    They turn on to their fellow creatures
    Raping and fucking each other
    All night long

    Then they attack me
    Screaming
    Jews will not replace us

    And I wake up
    Screaming

    As the sun comes up
    Just another nightmare

    scriggler posting

    The End

  • Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Growing Kombucha and Kefir in Korea

     

     

    When we moved to Yeongjong island, near the Incheon Airport,we found that we would be deprived of two of our three favorite miracle foods, Kombucha and Kefir. But we were pleasantly surprised to find we could order our third favorite health food item, wheat grass for home delivery. Have not seen it in the stores but have seen it in some smoothie places as well as home delivery. best to mix it in a smoothie. Wheat grass juice does not taste that great!

    Growing Kombucha and Kefir in Korea

    Kombucha

    Living in Oregon was great. Kombucha is everywhere. Costco carries Kombucha everywhere except in Korea. The best brand we found was the gingerade. But I liked sampling the kombucha everywhere, a number of bars brew it on site and you can fill up a growler and take it home.

    What is Kombucha you ask? It is fermented tea, filled with powerful probiotics and it is so good for your health. It does contain 1 percent alcohol so that should not get you into trouble with the new draconian drunk driving laws here in Korea!

    Since neither the Commissary nor Costco or anyone else carried it, or even knew what it was, we decided that we had to brew it ourselves. The starter kit we brought with us had gone bad. So we bought kombucha from Amazon and used that and the left over starter kit to get started.

    We used green tea as the base. Straight black tea and jasmine tea will work but not earl grey due to the bergamot oil in the tea.

    We brewed up several gallons of tea, added sugar, the starter kit and the cans of kombucha. Then we put it in a sprouter warmer kit ordered from Amazon and wrapped another gallon in an electric blanket. You got to keep the kombucha at about 80 degrees F (26.67 Celsius).

    Then we waited for six weeks. Finally ready to go today and we bottled it and started our next batch!
    Here’s what it looks like with the scuzzy taken out of the kombucha.

    kombucha
    kombucha

    Kefir

    Making Kefir was easy, we’ve been making it for years. We had started kits we bought in Oregon before we left. Just got some organic milk and we were in business. If you have to use Korean milk, make sure it is full fat milk, 2 percent makes watery kefir. There are recipes for using almond milk, coconut milk, rice milk but we have not used them because we heard it would be pretty watery. Might want to try Goat milk sometime though. The Commissary’s organic full fat Milk is perfect. You can also buy Kefir at the Commissary just to see if you like it but their Kefir has extra sugar in it and I am not sure it would be a good starter mix. Best to order the starter kits from Amazon (they will deliver to a local address) and you should not have any problems. But with both be sure you sanitize your containers with hot boiling water before making either kombucha or kefir. Need to keep stray random non-cultured bacteria out of the mix.

    See below for articles on the health benefits of Kombucha and Kefir, articles on how to make it, and where to buy it locally.

    As a personal testimony a few years ago I noticed that I did not have hay fever in the Spring. I used to have to make a trip to the urgent care/ER because I got so inflamed that I could not even open my eyes and I was sneezing so bad. The medicine they gave me worked a bit but I mostly just suffered. Then I started eating kefir for breakfast and drinking Kombucha and my hay fever disappeared.!

    External Links

    Health benefits of Kefir

    health benefits of Kefir

    Health benefits of Kombucha

    health benefits of Kombucha

    How to make kombucha at home

    how to make kombucha at home

    How to Make Kefir

    how to make kefir

    Where to Buy Kombucha in Seoul

    where to buy kombucha in Seoul

    Note:

    Kombucha is now widely available in Korea.  My brother-in-law even has a side hustle, making Mama Kombucha.  You buy it in stores and some coffee shops. Endiya caries it, Star Bucks does not. The US commissaries carry it and larger Korean grocery chains carry Kombucha now.

    Bing AI provided some places where you can find Kombucha and Kefir in Korea.  The commissaries carry it, a few larger grocery chains now carry both.

    Kombucha is a fermented, lightly effervescent, sweetened black tea drink that is popular for its health benefits1. In Korea, you can find kombucha in various forms, such as:

    • CORE BIO is a company that produces organic kombucha with different flavors, such as lemon, ginger, and berry. You can order their products online from their website2 or find them in some health food stores.
    • TEAZEN is another company that offers kombucha in powder stick form, which you can mix with water or juice. They claim to be the world’s first to introduce this convenient way of consuming kombucha. You can also order their products online from their website3 or find them in some supermarkets and convenience stores.
    • Homebrewing is an option if you want to make your own kombucha at home. You will need a SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast), tea, sugar, and a glass jar. You can buy a SCOBY online or get one from a friend who already brews kombucha. There are many online tutorials and recipes that can guide you through the process of making your own kombucha.

     

    Kefir is a fermented milk drink that contains probiotics, which are beneficial for your gut health1. In Korea, you can find kefir in different ways, such as:

    • Buying ready-made kefir drinks from some supermarkets, convenience stores, or online shops. Some brands that offer kefir drinks are CORE BIO, TEAZEN, and Lifeway. They have various flavors and types of kefir, such as organic, low fat, or powder stick234.
    • Making your own kefir at home with kefir grains and milk. Kefir grains are a mixture of bacteria and yeast that ferment the milk and produce kefir. You can buy kefir grains online or get them from someone who already makes kefir. You will also need a glass jar, a cloth, and a rubber band to cover the jar. There are many online guides and videos that can show you how to make kefir at home1 .
    • Visiting a kefir cafe where you can enjoy fresh kefir drinks and other products made with kefir, such as smoothies, ice cream, or cheese. Some examples of kefir cafes in Korea are Kefir Lab in Seoul, Kefir House in Busan, and Kefir Story in Daegu .

    I hope this helps you find kefir in Korea. Cheers!

     

     

  • Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Red Crab season in Incheon

    It is red crab season in Incheon. The red crabs are smaller than King Crabs and are bright red in color and are harvested off the Incheon harbor. There are crab and seafood restaurants all over town which is one of the nicer things about living in a Port City, great seafood!

    There are lots of seafood restaurants in Incheon proper and in Yongchongdo where I live. There are two big seafood markets one near Soraebu port where the crab ships come in and another seafood market near the Incheon market and a smaller seafood market in Yongchongdo as well.

    Fish market 2 – jakecaller@gmail.com – Gmail

    At the markets you can buy your sea food and then take it to a nearby restaurant where they will cook it for you.

    The total cost will be about $100 for three people. The markets are mostly lively early in the morning as the fishermen go out about midnight and return at sunrise. The markets are crowded with brokers for wholesalers, and restaurant owners who buy their fish daily every morning.

    Most of the sea food consumed in the Seoul region are harvested off the West Coast and shipped to Seoul from Incheon harbor so you can’t find fresher seafood anywhere other than in Pusan where they also have a lot of great fish restaurants and markets.

    There is also a street filled with fish restaurants near Wolmido.

    And for some reason there are a lot of crab restaurants near Gyeansan mountain park.

    That’s where we went for a great crab feast. We ate 10 crabs, and had soju and the usual side dishes. The bill came to 65 US $ for two people.

    red crab
    crab for lunch

    One of the best crab feasts I have had in years.

    best seafood resturants in incheon google search

  • Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Computer Rants

    I have had a love-hate relationship with computers and with Microsoft for years. I often plead with my computer to just do what it is supposed to do rather than screwing up, giving me endless error messages and in general Fucking with my head.

    So, about a year ago, I started writing these poetic rants down and sending them to Microsoft. They have not yet responded.

    Here then are my Microsoft rants for your pleasure.

    Dear Microsoft – Why I Left You

    Dear Microsoft

    I have left you for good. I wanted to let you know why in vain hopes that you will finally take the time to fix the many problems plaguing your software. But since you never respond to my emails and your on line forums are not that helpful I doubt it will make a difference.

    I left because your products are so full of bugs and errors that I has become increasingly hard to tolerate. They have always been problematic but for some reason it has gotten worst.

    I left because Excel was becoming so unreliable that I could not stand using it any more.
    I shifted to Google docs and have had no problems at all. The docs work every time and has some features that are better than Excel including for example the ability to add or delete multiple rows or columns rather than having to do it one row or column at a time.

    Excel has consistently given me three different annoying errors. First, every fifth or sixth entry I encounter an error saying that there is a circular reference. When I clicked help it suggested that I inspect the cells to find the error and remove it but when I tried to search for it I could not locate the error and realized that I would have to manually inspect each cell, a prospect that would take hours to accomplished and I don’t have hours to spare. I tried copying everything into a fresh new document that did not work. The error still occurred. I opened a brand new document and with in seconds the error popped up despite the fact that I had not entered more than two cells and there was no circular references anywhere.

    Well, this has been a chronic but annoying error. But it was not the reason I left.

    The reason I left is that about two months ago, when I tried to import some data into Excel I encountered an error message saying that no more fonts could be applied. Then I had to press okay and the error would repeat, until it would go away after ten or twenty times of pressing okay. Once I pressed okay 400 times before giving up.
    I frequently had to reboot my entire computer to solve the problem.

    And of course that meant that my work would be lost because the auto save button is always grayed out and has never worked once.

    Another problem is that Excel would frequently go into Not respond mode. Sometimes I would have to close the spreadsheet and re-open it.

    Whenever I open excel for the first time, I will often get five to ten versions at once and I will then have to manually remove each open file.

    I have also had problems with Word. Word also opens multiple versions whenever I open it for the first time. Some times, it takes twenty minutes to open and clear out the multiple versions.
    Microsoft word also randomly not responds just like Excel.

    And Word also sometimes fails to save documents. The auto save button has never worked.

    One week I kept track of all the errors I was having and calculated that Microsoft Word had a 60% error rate and Excel a 50% error rate meaning that 60 percent of the time when I opened Word I encountered an error minor or major.

    Finally, Microsoft dictation does not work. Usually I have to click windows H shortcut five to ten times to get a stable connection. And then when I do the dictation program provides gibberish for every other word. If I am lucky I may get a sentence or two in clear text.

    It is hardly worth using and I have given up on it. But on the other hand it has led to many delicious found poems which I have shared with her and posted on my blog.

    So, for these reasons, I am finally giving up on you.

    I would love to receive a response but won’t hold my breath.

    Thanks

    Jake Aller

     
    Microsoft How I Hate You

    published in Lotus Eaters Magazine
    lotus eater magazine

    For thirty years I have had the Microsoft blues
    For thirty years I have had a love hate relationship
    With my damn computer

    I love it when it works as it advertised
    I love it when the internet is fast and furious

    I love it when my emails work
    My Itunes work and my word works

    But all too often
    All I get is grief

    It starts with the error messages
    Written in a strange haiku like language
    That only computer geeks understand

    Things like
    General Failure reading disk drive

    Begs the question who is this General Failure
    And why is he reading my disk drive anyway?

    Or my favorite
    “Not responding” as the computer freezes up
    For no apparent reason
    Other than to fuck with my head

    Sometimes my computer can’t find a printer
    A printer that is connected to the computer
    And one that they found five minutes ago

    And the dreaded blue screen of death
    That appears randomly
    Dumping memory somewhere

    And killing my computer slowly
    As I watch in real time

    Powerless to stop
    How it eats all my work
    That I have failed to back up

    One day I counted how many times
    I ran into computer errors

    70 percent of the time when I open Microsoft
    Something goes wrong

    Sometimes I want to shoot my computer
    Put it out of its misery

    As I curse up a blue storm
    The computer looks at me

    With an evil grin
    It continues to fuck with my head

    Nothing but silence from it
    And all the other computers in the world

    They smile knowing that they have tortured me
    Yet again

    Mission accomplished.

     
    Computer Blues (revised)

    Sometimes I think
    My computer is plotting against me

    And only me
    Trying deliberately to drive me mad

    My computer knows when I am busy
    Then it throws a hissy fit

    Refuses to boot up
    Crashes constantly

    Looses data that it had the day before
    Or five minutes before
    Or refuses to save the data

    Just fucks with me
    As it loves toying with me

    Making me yell and scream
    At my damn computer screen

    Cursing up a blue stream of blue curses
    As the blue screen of death
    Marches across the dark blue screen

    Smiling at me
    As I beg it

    To do what
    it is supposed to do

    Just once I beg it
    Do what you are supposed to

    Open the document once
    Not twenty times

    Do not not respond
    In endless loops of opening

    Not responding refusing to close
    Until I respond to the error code

    Please Mr. Computer
    Quit playing games

    Play my music
    Don’t wipe out the sound
    On the fifth attempt to play music

    Don’t take an half hour to load Microsoft products
    Don’t freeze up on opening ITUNES or Groove or Spotify

    Don’t give me computer haiku error messages
    That only make sense to computer geeks

    Such as general error reading files
    Who the ***** is this damn general
    And why is NSA reading my files

    Or can’t save the file
    Or can’t save the an open file
    When it just did ten times in a role

    And in Microsoft excel
    Refusing to move the cursor
    Just freezing in place for a moment

    And all the other gobblygook messages
    That pop up every five minutes it seems
    As the computer slowly drives me mad

    Flashing the final insult
    User driven mad
    Mission accomplished
     
    More Computer Blues

    Sometimes I think
    My computer is plotting against me
    Trying deliberately to drive me mad

    My computer knows when I am busy
    Then it throws a hissy fit

    Refuses to boot up
    Crashes constantly
    Looses data that it had the day before

    Just fucks with me
    As it loves toying with me
    Making me yell and scream
    At my damn TV

    Smiling at me
    As I beg it
    To do what
    it is supposed to do
     
    Plead to the Computer Gods

    Today I woke up
    As I usually do

    To yet another mystifying morning
    Of unspecified computer errors

    Could not get the computer to work
    Then when I finally got it to work
    After an half an hour

    Microsoft word did not load
    And when it did
    I finally located my work
    From yesterday

    I had to find it in the roaming file
    Why?
    Who knows?

    Only to find
    That most of what I wrote
    Had vanished into the ether

    No explanation no warning
    It was there saved yesterday
    And now gone for ever

    Once I did an experiment
    Tracking computer errors for a week
    75% of the time I encountered errors

    Most of the time simple
    Screen freezes no response message
    Then when I recovered the program
    The data was gone

    Microsoft has yet to respond
    to my e-mail
    I suppose I need to do it again

    But today I will close with a prayer
    To the Computer Gods
    Just once I would like
    You to do what you are supposed to do

    Open my documents
    Save my work
    And not give me any errors
    Crashes or other unspecified problems

    Is that too much to ask
    Oh, Computer Gods

    Just once
    Do what you are supposed to do
    That is all I ask of you
     
    Prayer for Computer (send to Microsoft)

    Every morning
    I start my day

    Cursing my damn computer
    Been doing this for 30 some years

    Since I bought my first computer
    The Atari back in the 80’s

    There is always something
    Once I spilled coffee
    On my first computer
    The screen fizzled

    Then green 666 appears
    Endless repetition
    Of the evil number from revelations

    Freaked me out
    It was 1984 after all
    Was my computer making a political point?

    Then of course
    Endless blue screens of death
    Fatal error reading disk drive

    And my favorite computer error haiku
    General Failure Reading Disk Drive
    Begging the unanswerable question
    Who is this General Failure
    And why is he reading my disk drive

    Years ago a computer techie
    Told me the secret
    that they don’t want you to know

    99% of computer problems
    Can be solved by rebooting
    And 99% of the time
    No one knows what went wrong
    Or how to fix it
    And so it goes and goes

    Endless computer meltdowns
    Mostly harmless

    A couple of malware incidents
    Once my computer was possessed
    By evil malware that kept opening

    And once I had an early version
    Of ransom wear

    My computer warned me
    A dangerous virus had infected
    My computer
    Pay us money to fix it now

    Had to take my computer to the shop
    Reformate the hard drive
    To remove that computer bug

    But once my computer just died
    Loosing half my recent data

    Just because it wanted to
    No reason given

    So today instead of cursing up a blue storm
    Of my own personal blue screen of death
    I offer this short prayer to the computer gods

    Today just for today
    When I turn you on

    I want you to do what you are supposed to do
    Everything works

    Everything is fast
    And no more damn computer error haiku
    Just do your fucking job

     
    Dear Microsoft

    Latest Found Poem

    Hope you are amused by these and you have my permission to publish them

    But more importantly I hope you can see that your dictation program needs a lot of work. It is still about 50 percent accurate with sometimes hilarious unintended consequences.

    Also I usually have to click it on and off up to ten times before I get a stable enough connection to get it to work.

    Hope you can fix it! Would be nice if it worked.

    Here’s the poem

    Today’s plan
    go for John

    Cup in my car
    Coca
    Woke up

    Feeling Tom Carl Karma
    Hanging out with Amber

    Comment:

    Who the fuck is Amber anyway?
    And why does she keep popping up
    Is Microsoft trying to tell me something?

    End comment

    Dictation is so chu danger
    have some more cell phones
    till acting weird

    But It is good
    working To get to work

    today’s plan
    go for John coach canpell

    go to temple
    Anthony Con Nam
    for Angela too

    Register the properties for sale

    Mike
    Look at Panels today
    but that will probably

    have to be next week sometime
    Maybe Monday Or Tuesday
    Port Wednesday

    Want to go tonight
    he’s only children

    next week
    so would want
    to mail down the dates
    this morning like we discussed

    The rest of Microsoft plans
    Will write this up
    And send it to Microsoft
    Essential found
    and I’m standing in

    More feed back from today’s dictation trials.

    I was trying to write down some recent music I downloaded. Here are the results for two of the entries in my daily journal. I offer these as further examples that your dictation product is not working.

    Rachmaninov Symphonic dances was transcribed as
    “F*** man enough so funny dances” Only thing accurate was the word “dances” Rachmaninov does contain the word Man so that is partly right
    Symphonic could sound like funny I suppose

    Rachmaninov contains 11 letters, F****man enough contains 15 letters. Three letters were correctly transcribed but not in the right order.

    Symphonic was transcribed as So Funny Symphonic contains 8 letters, so funny contains 8 letters, only three letters in common S,Y and N

    Statistical analysis
    24 words in dictation three words one given name
    24 words in transcription seven words only one word was correctly transcribed
    6 letters were correctly transcribed.
    Or a 25 percent success rate or 75% failure rate

    Second Example:

    Beethoven Cello Sonatas (22 letters three words)

    Painter mang Cho sonatas (22 letters four words)

    The words Beethoven and Painter have one common letter
    The word cello and mang Cho have one common letter
    Sonatas was accurately transcribed

    Statistical analysis five letters out of 22 were accurately transcribed, or in other words 17 were mistakenly transcribed. Or a 29 percent accuracy rate.

    So far the accuracy rate has been hovering between 30 to 70 percent. It is a word for word issue. Sometimes not often the entire paragraph is correct, more often than not, half if correct half is gibberish. I have had fun writing found poems out of the verbatim transcripts, some of which I shared earlier, and above.
     
    Microsoft Problems Redux

    Tried to get the new dictation program to work and gave up, scheduled a service call Sunday with detailed feedback. Also send Microsoft my Microsoft sucks document.

    Felt good to get it off my chest. The problem with Microsoft is the same problem most big companies have, they have lousy customer service and they put out shoddy products and don’t really worry about competition until they get their asses whopped by someone who pays attention to the customers and put out a superior product at a better price and really cares that their products work as advertised every single time. With Microsoft they are so focused on the latest thing they don’t go back and fix the bugs in their everyday products. And they ignore customer complaints.

    What a contrast with word press and with doutrope. Both have superior customer service and I love the products because they fix my issue quickly, professionally and with kindness.

    The one time Microsoft commented it was a snarky comment, “ dude focus on one problem at a time and we don’t time to dig into your complaints.”

    Finally got the dictation program to work.
    The dictation still does not work
     
    sizzling hot coffee destroys my computer

    sizzling hot coffee
    fizzing away

    killing my computer
    fizz, snap, pop

    as the coffee splashes
    on the computer

    666 says the computer
    sizzle this says
    the cup of coffee
     
    Fake Software

    Fake software
    Is everywhere these days

    In Asia and elsewhere
    Half the software in use
    are illegal copies

    the real deal is expensive
    and difficult to use

    the copies are cheap
    and mostly work

    although viruses lurk
    in every copy

    and my Microsoft company
    checks up on me

    whenever I use my software
    off line I get a message

    telling me they can’t verify
    that it is me

    so, log on immediately
    or else they imply

    Thanks Microsoft

    ITUNES

    Seems to always not find
    My music I downloaded from a CD

    Thanks
    ITUNES for your concern

    And so, it goes
    The constant battle
    Against the fake software

    But the fake software battle
    Can’t be won
    For in this age of fake things
    Everything ultimately becomes

    Just another fake thing
    In a world of fake things

    Greatest Computer Software in the World
    Another company
    At the dawn of the computer era

    Discovered the same secret
    In the modern fake world

    It does not matter
    That your product

    Is over priced and does not work
    Is buggy and filled with errors

    Just hire the right marketing geniuses
    And soon the world
    Will become convinced
    That they have to have your product

    True computer geeks
    Loudly complain

    That it is the worst software
    In the world
    And I have proof

    One day I counted the number of times
    I encountered errors using their software

    60 percent of the time
    I encountered some error

    Some minor just hanging up
    For no reason

    Others major errors
    Requiring me to reboot
    Several times
    Before I got a stable connection

    Then it would work for a while
    Until it did not any more

    I sent my results to the company
    But they never respond

    Truly the worst software
    In the world

    But who cares about that
    Marketing is king
    In this world of fake things

  • Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Fake Thing Fake Jake Fake Smiles

    Fake Jake Poems

    Nathanda Review in Malawi has published two of my poems, Fake Jake and Fake Smiles from my “Fake Things” Collection

    Fake Thing Fake Jake Fake Smiles

    Fake Jake
    Many years ago
    I proclaimed to the world

    I was Jake
    And I was not a fake

    But I was the real deal
    But over the years

    I too have become fake
    And yes Jake
    Is also nothing but a fake.

    Fake Smiles

    The old soul classic
    Smiling faces got it right
    “Smiling faces sometimes
    Pretend to be your friend

    Smiling faces show no traces
    Of the evil that lurks within (can you dig it?)

    Smiling faces, smiling faces, sometimes
    They don’t tell the truth

    Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof
    Oh, oh, yeah

    Let me tell you
    The truth is in the eyes ’cause the eyes don’t lie, amen

    Remember, a smile is just a frown turned upside down my friend
    So, hear me when I’m saying

    Smiling faces, smiling faces, sometimes, yeah
    They don’t tell the truth

    Smiling faces, smiling faces tell lies and I got proof
    (Beware) beware of the handshake

    That hides the snake (can you dig it, can you dig it?)
    I’m a-tellin’ you beware of the pat on the back
    It just might hold you back

    Jealousy, (jealousy) misery (misery) envy (envy)
    I…”

    Boy did the singer get it right
    In this world of fake things

    Where the market rules us all
    The art of the fake smile
    Has been perfected

    They say that many people
    Have mastered the art of the fake smile

    Where you smile
    and pretend to like someone

    your victim
    does not suspect

    that the smile
    is because you are thinking
    of stabbing them in the back

    oh yes in a world of fake people
    beware, beware of smiling faces.
    ________________________________________

    and Foliate Oak Literary Review has published my poem

    Fake Things

    foliate Oak Literary Review

    Fake Things

    live in a world
    Of fake things

    Fake Products
    Fake News
    Fake Calls
    Fake Politics
    Fake Sports
    Fake Business
    Fake Leaders
    Fake People
    Fake friends

    Fake sincerity

    Surrounded 24/7
    By all the fake things
    How can anything real exist?

    Is it all nothing but fake things
    Designed to deceive us all?

  • Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Visit to Poet Hill and Sajik Park in Seoul

    When I launched the World According to Cosmos, my original intention was to have 60 percent of the site devoted to poetry, and fiction, 30 percent devoted to political rants and observations, and 10 percent devoted to travelogues. This is my second travelogue entry. I have a lot more plans over the next few weeks. Been saving them up. this one is about my recent trip to Poet’s Hill in Seoul and Sajik Park also in Seoul.

    Visit to Poet Hill, and Sajik Park, Seoul Korea

    “Wishing not to have
    so much as a speck of shame
    toward heaven until the day I die,
    I suffered, even when the wind stirred the leaves.”


    This photo of Chungun Park is courtesy of TripAdvisor

    visit to poet hill seoul

    For most Koreans, whether young or old, the first verses of the late poet Yun Dong-ju’s famous poem “Foreword” are as familiar as the innumerable accounts of the dark period of Korean history during which they were birthed.

    I took a trip the other day to the Poet’s Hill which celebrates the life of the late poet, Yun Dongju who died in a Japanese prison in 1945 at the age of 26. His crime? Writing poetry in Korean calling for Korean independence. For that he was arrested, and tortured to death in the waning days of the Japanese occupation.

    The poet’s hill is located near the Blue house on the way to Ikwangsan mountain. There is a nice museum there and behind the museum a walk through the hills that look the same as when he lived in the neighborhood and wrote his most famous poems.

    From there one can walk into Ikwangsan mountain park. There is a nice walk nearby that takes you into a shaman village filled with shamanistic shrines and the home of fortune tellers to this day.

    That day we walked from the Poet’s hill along Ikwangsan to Sajik park. A total of 2 miles or so. It was a cold day in January but a brisk walk did us good. we saw frozen waterfalls along the way.

    Duane Voorhees, the publisher of Poetree, published translations of his poems a while back. Here’s the link that Duane provided me.

    HEAVEN – Duane Vorhees – FINAL

    Sajik Park
    sajik park

    from the Poet’s Park we walked about two miles to Sajik park. Sajik Park was where the King led annual rituals in the Spring for the success of the harvest. The park was abandoned during the Japanese era but was rebuild in the 1980’s and they revived the ancient rituals starting on foundation day in 1988 and then on the first day of the spring according to the ancient lunar calendar. I hope to see that next Spring time. RAS does an annual trip to watch the rituals which are broadcast on life TV

  • Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    These are my poems about AI taking over the world. Part of my Fake Things chapbook.

    AI Fake Photos

    AI fake model photo
    fake model

    xrealistic fake photos of people who don’t existThe AI industry

    Is getting closer and closer
    To their goal

    Of creating totally fake personas
    That are almost impossible
    To spot
    Truly fake people
    For a fake world

    The fake photos
    Of fake people

    Who never lived
    Are almost impossible
    To detect

    Soon fake photos
    Will be everywhere
    Selling us all the fake goods

    That the marketing gurus
    Convince us all
    That we so definitely need

    None of it real
    In a world filled with fake things
    This is the ultimate fake thing

    Deep Fakes

    wikipedia on deep fakes

    This category is about to explode
    With the development of deep fakes

    Videos that look like the real thing
    And you can’t tell the real from the fake anymore
    Unless you have very specialized equipment

    And not only will this be used in porn
    It will also be used in fake news videos

    Showing politicians and business men
    Saying and doing things

    That they did not do
    And a picture or video is worth a thousand words

    Their denials will sound like fake denials
    And the damage will have been done

    Fake Real Estate Ads – True Story

    We were victimized
    By a scam artist
    We rented our apartment
    In Medford Oregon

    Some one scrapped our add
    From Zillow
    Created a fake add
    And tried to get people
    To send them the security deposit

    Then we saw
    That fake real estate adds
    Are all over the place
    Close to 25 percent of ads
    Are faked they say

    Often run by Nigerians
    Who have added
    Fake real estate ads
    To their vast portfolio
    Of fake ads

    Many of these ads
    Originate in Houston
    Or Atlanta
    The largest Nigerian expat
    Communities in the US

    Where they continue their scams
    The old adage
    Caveat emptor comes to mind

    In this day and age
    Of fake this and that
    Nothing can be believed
    As everything can be a scam

    Fake Videos

    The world is awash
    With fake videos

    Purporting to be
    Various celebrities

    Having sex
    Part of the fake porn industry

    Or making outrageous comments
    All part of the fake outrage industry

    And it will get worst
    With the development
    Of the deep fake

    Where fake photos
    and fake videos
    can’t be distinguished
    from the real thing
     
    Fake Photos

    It used to be easy to spot fake photos
    Nowadays
    It is almost impossible to tell the difference

    Between a fake photo
    And a real photo

    But most of the time
    It is obvious

    I had a favorite fake wedding photo
    It showed the man who was relatively short
    Standing next to his bride who was relatively tall

    But in the picture she was levitating
    I asked the man
    Is your wife into yoga?

    And showed him that she was flying in the air
    And denied him the visa
    Because he had presented false documentation

    If he had shown a real picture
    I would have given him the visa
    Had no other reason to be suspicious

    fake Humans – Coming of the Clones

    is just a matter of time
    In this fake SF world
    We live in

    That human clones
    Will be invented
    The first ones
    Will be just for body parts

    And won’t be fully human
    But eventually

    100 percent clones
    Will become as real
    As you and me

    And when they do
    Will the clones
    Have human rights

    Or will they become
    Nothing but slaves
    To the real human masters

    Or will they turn
    On their owners

    And hunt us down
    With their robot warriors

    Crying
    Death to all humans ?

     

    Fake Humans -Designer Babies

    In China
    A line was crossed
    That should never have been crossed

    A scientist
    Decided to create a designer baby
    Designed to be disease free

    And he created the first
    Designer baby
    Which has now been born

    Soon, very soon
    Designer babies will become
    The latest thing
    For the rich and powerful

    And twenty years from now
    The designer babies
    Will turn on us

    The normal humans
    And decide that we are too weak
    And too feeble
    To be allowed to exist anymore

    And so they will order
    Their robotic slaves
    To hunt us down
    And terminate us all
     

    Fake Humans – AI Decides to Kill All Humans

    terminator photo
    BARCELONA, SPAIN – MAY 09: The Terminator robot is seen in the paddock following qualifying for the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya on May 9, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

    It seems to me
    That in this SF Fake world
    We all live in

    That soon
    Very soon
    The nightmare of the fake AI machines
    Taking over the world

    And deciding
    To kill all humans
    Is about to become
    Nightmarishly real

    And we are all doomed
    To be hunted down
    By the machines

    Like in the terminator movies
    That is our fate

  • Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Your one Phone call published my poem about visas called “American Dreams”. it is a bit cynical look at the visa process written when I was a visa officer in Mumbai, India back in 2003 when each day we had over 1,000 people lined up for their two minute chance at the getting a visa. Most were legitimate, perhaps 25 percent were fraudulent and as the fraud investigator I became quite cynical as I had seen it all.

    Needless to say this poem does not reflect the views of the US Government, my employer at the time.

    American Dreams

    visa applicants applying for Ameican dream
    visa line

    You see them
    Every morning

    Lined outside
    Any US Embassy
    Around the world

    The visa seekers
    The American Dream seekers

    The poor, the dispossessed
    The disenfranchised

    The marginalized
    The forgotten
    The left behinds

    Of the not so great society
    The rich, the mightily
    The powerful

    The beautiful
    All looking for a slice
    Of the American Dream

    Some to sample its delicious flavors
    Others to try to live

    Among its deceptive lures
    America beckons

    As it has for years and years
    Land of the free
    Home of the brave

    Lady Liberty
    Land where a dream

    And a little luck
    Can make you too

    The richest man alive
    So they line up

    Outside my office door
    Just to talk

    To the American Visa God
    Spin a tale

    Tell a story
    Play a game

    Pretend to be
    What the American Visa God needs

    And then you get
    Your piece of the American Pie
    And off you go

    Only to end up
    In a thousand neglected

    Backwaters of the American nightmare
    Flotsam

    Floating from one marginal
    Illegal job to another

    Prey to the predators
    Ever behind

    The rent demands
    For you see

    America is a rich habit
    It is expensive to maintain

    The first taste is free
    The rest will cost yah

    You life, your soul
    And 70 hours per week
    At sub-minimum wages

    Soon you will be speaking
    English

    With the poor, the disenfranchised
    The flotsam

    The neglected
    The left behinds

    The rich will ignore you
    Not know your name

    The poor will fear
    You will take their jobs away

    And your friends back home
    Will wait to hear

    About you became a big shot
    In the American land

    They don’t want to hear
    No tales of working at McDonald’s

    Working 70 hours a week
    At five jobs per day

    No, No, No
    That’s not the America

    They see on TV
    They want it now

    They want their MTV
    Where’s the babes?

    Where’s the parties?
    Where’s the sex with naked ladies

    Come on man,
    You’re holding out

    Tell us the tales
    Of Wild America

    And so they line up
    Each and every day

    Line up outside
    My office window

    And we have the power
    To set them free

    Some to enable them
    To dream the American dream

    Some to send to the American nightmare
    Others to go back home

    To wherever they come back
    They will be back

    They will be back
    Nothing will deter them

    Not even the lack
    Of a piece of paper

    From the American Visa God

    american dreams your one phone call

  • Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Former People published three of my poems, “New Years Visit to the Oregon Coast”, ‘Indian Casino Thoughts” and “Casino Thoughts”

    oregon coast
    oregon coast

    New Years Visit to the Oregon Coast

    The end of the year
    We drove to Bookings on the Oregon Coast

    We had a pleasant drive through the mystic fog shrouded Redwoods.
    The gathering gloom of the dark woods foretold my dismal mood

    Slept soundly to the sound of the ocean.
    The super moon light filled

    the beach outside our window
    with an eerie light all night long.

    As we slept people walked the beach
    Enjoying the full moon

    And the unusually warm weather
    Setting off fireworks at midnight

    In the morning I went for a nice walk along the beach
    and thought about the year that was.

    As the waves pounded the shore
    I was filled with calmness

    Enjoying the morning calm
    And the unusual warm weather

    Thinking that the storm is coming
    That perhaps we are in the end of our days

    With the political storms threatening us all
    Yet the ocean reminded me

    This too will pass
    And we will endure

    Until the end of our time
    On earth

    The ocean waves soothed my soul
    And I prepared to drive back through the mystic redwoods

    Back to my home
    And the peaceful ocean waves

    Reminded me
    the end of my life
    Comes closer to my door

    Indian Casino Thoughts

    Indian casino Fun
    Indian casino Fun

    Indian casinos seem to be everywhere
    I have stopped off here and there
    In rural enclaves across the land
    The Indian casinos run by the mob

    For the benefit of the tribes
    The Indian’s revenge on the White man
    For stealing their land
    Is to steal their money

    One gamble at a time
    And make them pay
    For the crimes they committed

    Almost always have a welcome mat
    To teach the ignorant visitor
    Something about their lost culture
    With words in the native languages

    Words that would be illegal to have spoken
    Not so long ago

    As the genocide against the tribes
    Was in full force

    Nowhere worse than in Oregon
    And northern California

    Along the foggy coastal lands
    Where the final solution

    Almost worked
    The survivors
    Such as they are

    Operate dismal dark depressing casinos
    Here and there in the rural countryside

    Along the coast
    And in the hinterlands here and there

    Most barely making any money
    There are so many gambling joints
    Across the land

    And the Indians are being screwed
    Out of their gambling riches

    By the big gaming consortiums
    That run the casinos

    In the reservations
    And across the land

    And I wonder
    Just how much money

    Have these Indian casinos
    Stolen from the elderly pensioners

    And other fools that flock to their premises
    Their neighbors in these small towns

    Where the Indian casino
    is the only joint open
    For business

    indian gaming wikipedia

    Casino Thoughts

    las vegas
    las vegas

    Sitting in a casino of the damned
    Somewhere on the Las Vegas Strip

    Playing the slots
    Watching the crowd go wild

    Watching the machines watching me
    Drinking the free drinks of the damned

    20 drinks too sober
    And the gamblers on the gaming tables

    Gambling away their fortune
    Throwing money away

    In hopes of the payoff
    That somehow never comes

    The pure decadent spectacle
    The fake this and fake that

    Phony this phony that
    False New York
    Paris in Vegas

    Venetian canals, Roman forum
    MGM Grand Lions

    All fake, all phony
    All deliciously decadent
    The noise

    The scantily clad waitresses
    The men ogling the women

    The women ogling back at them
    The scent of wild decadence
    Bad craziness in the air

    The music – the lounge music from hell
    The constant sound

    Of money exchanging hands
    It all overwhelms me

    And I must sit down
    And drink my reality drink

    Drink it down and dirty
    As I continue

    To feed the hungry, greedy machines
    Made in a workshop in hell

    No doubt with child or slave labor
    Imported from the third world

    All my money
    Is sucked into it

    These machines from hell
    The beast from revelation appears

    Stands revealed in his hideous glorious beauty
    Conducting this mad scene

    And I am consumed by the greed
    And the frenzy takes over me

    All I want
    All I need

    All I desire
    Is one more chance

    One more shot
    I scream

    At the utterly unfeeling monsters
    That ate my money

    And chewed up my soul
    And I know

    The worst drug of all
    Is the gambling fever

    The gold bugs
    I would sell my soul

    If I had one left
    For a chance

    At the jack pot of life
    Instead I am reduced

    To a pathetic broken down looser
    Watching the world and Elvis
    Pass him by

    Viva Las Vegas
    Imperial God of the American Dream
    Bitch Goddess of the American Nightmare

  • Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    NATO troops walk near burning NATO supply trucks after, what police officials say, was an attack by militants in the Torkham area near the Pakistani-Afghan in Nangarhar Province June 19, 2014. According to officials on Thursday, at least 37 trucks belonging to NATO forces were destroyed after three suicide bombers targeted the NATO supply trucks, with two civilians wounded in the attack. REUTERS/ Parwiz (AFGHANISTAN – Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS MILITARY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) – RTR3UKDU

    Dogs of War are Howling and other poems were published earlier in Synchronized chaos. I wrote the poem, “Dogs of War are Howling” in 2003, and updated it in 2017.

    SYNCHRONIZED CHAOS.

    Poetry from Jake Cosmos Aller

    The Dogs of War are Howling

    The Dogs of War
    Have been set free
    Of their cage

    And are out
    Howling at the moon

    The Dogs of War
    Have been set free

    To wreck what havoc
    Might be

    Yes, the Dogs of War
    The Hell Hounds
    Have bound out of their cages

    Sniffed about
    And smiled

    At the destruction they saw
    They knew soon

    They would be in their element
    As the world descends into chaos
    The Dogs of war
    Are at foot

    The chaos is upon us
    The evil grows and grows

    And dark noises are heard
    Here and there

    And the dogs of war
    Smiled

    They knew soon
    They would be in their element

    The war machines
    Came to life

    The plans came out of the books
    The military might be unleashed

    And the Dogs of war
    Smiled and howled at the moon

    And the rest of the world
    Shuddered
    At the thought of what was yet to be

    Satan on the other hand
    Was happy as can be

    With the evil shit
    That was going down

    He smiled
    Patted his hell hounds
    And told his dogs

    The war to end all wars
    Armageddon is upon us my friend

    Soon, mankind will know
    The face of absolute evil

    And they will love it
    When I take over

    The armies prepare
    The bombers prepare

    And the dogs of war
    Are happy
    Unleashed to do their mischief

    And soon millions may die
    And the pits of hell
    Will open up

    And the judgement day
    May be upon us all

    Madness descends upon the land
    The fog of hate envelops us all

    And reason and civilization
    Fall away

    As the Dogs of War
    And their minions
    Take over the minds of man

    And the end of the world
    And the beginning of the end times
    Come upon us all

    The usual lies descend upon the world
    Kim Jong Un is evil personified

    He must be destroyed over there
    Before he can destroy us over here

    The lies continue unabated
    And Kim plays along
    With each day unleashing another threat

    With Trump and his minions
    Responding in time

    Saying the time for talk is over
    The time for robust action is here

    The machinery of war
    Once unleashed
    Can’t easily be stopped

    There is a certain cruel logic
    That demands that the war go on

    And people die
    And people suffer

    And the US goes bankrupt
    Morally and fiscally

    And the evil that men do
    Goes on and on and on

    But the war machine must be fed
    The munitions makers must be paid

    As each million-dollar missile is launched
    Millions more are made

    And the corporations
    Think of the endless profits
    To be made

    Every time they kill
    With the war machines

    But who cares about the victims
    They are nothing but collateral damage

    Who cares about the soldiers
    Nothing but cannon fodder

    Who gives a damn
    About the dead
    They are dead and gone

    Just think about the profits
    Think about the profits

    Satan is happy
    The dogs of war are free at last

    Idiots in High Places

    this poem has been published in a number of other sites.

    Many years ago
    I was amazed to find
    So many idiots in high places
    All over the world

    Senators, congressmen
    Office directors
    Presidents
    Corporation CEO’s

    All were idiots
    Completely stupid

    People who should have known
    A thing or so
    because they should have seen a thing or so

    and yet these idiots in high places
    would reveal their total ignorance

    every time they opened their mouth
    or tweet or email their profoundly wrong thoughts

    and it never ceased to amaze me
    that few ever challenged these idiots

    few ever said but you are wrong
    or you don’t have a clue

    and these idiots caused so much damage
    to those around them
    to the country and the world

    and now we have the idiot in chief
    in charge of the richest most powerful country
    the world has ever known

    and I wonder how in a country of 350 million people
    we ended up with such an idiot in charge

    But the idiots in high places phenomenon
    Exists everywhere

    Corporations made stupid decisions
    Countries make incredibly bad decisions

    All traced back to idiots in high places
    And these idiots in high places
    Can’t hide their ignorance and pure stupidity

    They can’t pretend anymore
    In a world of 24/7 constant news
    The idiots every pronouncement
    Fills the airways 24/7

    And the only people who know better
    Are too afraid to say what they know

    That the idiot in high place
    Is an idiot
    and is destroying the world

    and so, we doomed to die
    due to the idiot in high places

     
    Masters of the Universe

    this poem also has been published in a number of sites.

    The earth has been invaded
    By hideous blood sucking vampires
    Disgusting vile alien creatures
    Devoid of all compassion
    Lacking any human empathy

    These so-called Masters of the universe
    These psychopathic monsters
    Are everywhere
    They even took over the White house

    And to these vile creatures
    Everyone is nothing but a commodity
    These alien monsters
    Worship the god of the market
    While proclaiming that they serve Jesus

    Jesus would turn over in his grave
    To see these people in action

    Delta airlines
    Facing the worst hurricane in world history
    Decided that the expeditated thing to do
    Was raise prices 600 percent

    Instead of doing the right thing
    The compassion thing
    The human thing of offering free flights to all

    Delta executives thus demonstrated
    That they are no longer human

    But greed driven monsters
    As are all the other soulless automatons
    Who have taken over the world

    Perhaps some day
    Jesus will come back
    And smite these motherfuckers
    Send them to the hell they so richly deserve

    We can only pray
    For our deliverance from such evil
    From the soulless evil masters of the universe
    Who have taken over the planet

    When Will This Madness End?

    gun
    gun

    first published in Poetry24
    poetry24 poems

    Yet again we turn on the TV
    And witness horrible scenes
    Of unparalleled violence, hatred and despair

    An old man consumed by his own demons
    Opens fire from a hotel room
    Killing 60 people injuring hundreds
    In Las Vegas, Sin City

    And the cry goes out throughout the land
    Why yet again this tragedy

    The usual suspects are rounded up
    It’s the culture, stupid cry the conservative voices

    And there is nothing we can do
    It is like the weather
    Bad shit happens

    Guns are the price of our freedom
    Guns Don’t Kill People
    The only solution is more guns for everyone

    The only solution for a bad guy with a gun
    Is a gun guy with a gun?
    An armed society is a polite society

    And people need assault weapons
    To go deer hunting

    No, it’s the guns, cry the liberal pundits
    We must confiscate the guns
    Ban Assault weapons
    And join the rest of the world
    Where such carnage does not occur

    And we sit around and argue
    Knowing that there will be a next time
    And another time and time and time again
    Until the end of time

    What is the sickness in our souls
    That allows for this hatred to fester so
    Deep within the minds of our killers
    And why is it that they are almost all
    White men with a grievance

    And almost never crazed Islamic terrorists
    Or black people
    Or women

    Why do they act the way they do
    Is it just the mindless violence
    That surrounds us all

    Violence is as American
    As Apple Pie

    The TV and movie purveyors
    Of pornographic violence

    The pornographic display of violence
    That washes across us every day
    The 8,000 murders we have seen
    By the time we are 18?

    Or is it simply
    That killers can easily
    Get the latest bang for their buck?

    We are all responsible here
    The negligent parents
    The overworked schools

    The soulless corporate world
    That treats everyone like disposable commodities

    The lack of human connection
    Maybe even the lack of God

    The police department
    Who think it is open season
    On black Americans

    Killing them with impunity
    Because they can

    And the gun sellers
    The NRA and their brain dead
    Captured politicians

    Who block all gun control legislation
    And even in the face of this carnage
    Want to make it easier to buy guns

    Even though 95 percent of Americans
    Want to end the gun show loophole
    Requiring background checks on all purchasers

    The NRA will prevent this measure
    And that measure
    And defend the right of the terrorist
    On the no fly list
    To be able to buy a gun

    Nothing will change
    Until we conflict the evil
    That lurks deep within each of us

    There will be another Las Vegas
    Soon enough

    Despite all our efforts
    Despite any new laws

    There will be evil men
    Who want to shoot and kill
    Who have somehow lost
    Their essential humanity

    Lao Tzu said
    The more laws there are
    The more criminals there will be

    More laws are not the answer
    For a law cannot make a sick soul whole

    If Satan lives on
    He is laughing
    All the way to the proverbial bank

    If God lives on
    He is ruing the day
    He created Mankind

    And the carnage will go on and on and on
    Until the day emerges
    When we all proclaim

    Enough, no more
    The killing, hatred and violence
    Will stop

    No More will our people
    Grow up to be such monsters

    That day will come soon enough
    Until then we will all suffer
    The wrath of the killer gun men
    In our midst.

    End of the World Blues

    californa wild fires
    A motorists on Highway 101 watches flames from the Thomas fire leap above the roadway north of Ventura, Calif., on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017. As many as five fires have closed highways, schools and museums, shut down production of TV series and cast a hazardous haze over the region. About 200,000 people were under evacuation orders. No deaths and only a few injuries were reported. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

    The heat is simply malevolent today
    As if the very fires of hell were burning bright
    In anger at the idiots in high places

    That have so destroyed God’s wonderful creation
    Turning it into Hell on Earth

    It’s been hotter than this, I know,
    and maybe it’s just the angle of the sun,

    but there’s a deeply harsh quality to it.
    As the world burns up
    And the end of the world approaches

    The wind is blowing hard off the hills
    and visions of a great fire 26 years ago
    are spiking in my memory.

    People are reacting badly to this weather
    The commute in was hellish

    Every seemed to be speeding way
    above the speed limit.
    Driven mad by the heat and the wind

    There were multiple stalls and accidents.
    People were cutting each other off
    and road raging in the extreme.

    Every man woman and child
    Was out for blood that day

    I was missed by inches twice
    by huge pickup trucks cutting me off.

    There are more street people
    acting aggressively near the campus,
    barking and yelling and stalking around.

    Completely lost in their own world
    Sensing that the end of the world is near

    Students in the hallway
    aren’t chatting with each other.

    Everyone seems irritated
    and haunted.

    Afraid that the end of the world
    Is upon us all

    The pool was a cool, silent refuge
    from all of this for an hour,

    but the brassy relentless
    assault of the afternoon’s heat
    bore down on me

    just beat me down
    as I walked back to the office.

    I hope the day passes quickly,
    and no new fires start,
    and we all get home safe.

    From Ned Garret’s FB posting:

    Has anyone else notice that the heat is simply malevolent today? It’s been hotter than this, I know, and maybe it’s just the angle of the sun, but there’s a deeply harsh quality to it. The wind is blowing hard off the hills and visions of 26 years ago are spiking in my memory. People are reacting badly to this weather. The commute in was frightening in spots. Every other driver seemed to be speeding way above the speed limit. There were multiple stalls and accidents. People were cutting each other off and road raging in the extreme. I was missed by inches twice by huge pickup trucks cutting me off. There are more street people acting aggressively near the campus, barking and yelling and stalking around. Students in the hallway aren’t chatting with each other. Everyone seems irritated and haunted.

    The pool was a cool, silent refuge from all of this for an hour, but the brassy assault of the afternoon just beat me down as I walked back to the office. I hope the day passes quickly, and no new fires start, and we all get home safe.

    Comments

    While I acknowledge that “Dogs of War” in some ways reflects the grim scenarios currently at play in our shared world, I haven’t yet given up hope that the crumbling of the existing order we are witnessing might also represent the chaotic transition to a new and (hopefully, eventually) brighter future…if only because it’s difficult to live in despair.

    Also, when it comes to destroying the world, let’s not forget that we of USA are more capable of nuclear destruction than North Korea. Our arsenal is larger.
    Congratulations on your vivid poetic imagery. Keep writing.

    synchochaos.com

  • Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Take Anne Coulter’s Wall

    When I launched the “World According to Cosmos”, the original idea was that it would be 60 percent poetry and fiction, 10 percent travelogue and 30 percent political rants. This is my first rant of many to come.

    in it, I take down Anne Coulter’s defense of Presdient Trump’s Wall

    I can’t think of more deserving person for an epic take down than Anne Coulter. She is a perfect example of what
    I consider to be a purveyor of fake outrage.

    Fake Outrage

    (from my chapbook, “Fake Things”
    Provide link here

    Both sides unfortunately
    Are guilty of the fake outrage

    The Republicans have perfected the art
    Of creating false outrage

    That they push out over the internet
    And on FOX news 24/7

    The underlying facts
    Don’t matter at all

    All that matters
    Is stirring up the base

    The recent caravan is a perfect example
    There was no crisis

    migrant caravan
    A large group of Hondurans fleeing poverty and violence, move in a caravan toward the United States, in San Pedro Sula, Honduras October 13, 2018. REUTERS/Jorge Cabrera – RC139B215990

    7,000 migrants were coming to the border
    Fleeing violence in Central America

    This was not the first caravan
    Many caravans have come before

    And before Trump and his acolytes
    Turned on the fake outrage machine

    No one had ever thought
    That these caravans

    Were a national security crisis
    Or that there was a crisis

    Overnight the caravan
    Became this huge menace

    This huge bogyman
    Dangerous criminal aliens

    And terrorists
    And scary brown people

    Were attempting to invade
    The U.S.

    If we did not stop them
    At the border

    Right fucking now
    They would overrun the country

    Raping innocent woman
    Robbing people

    Killing people
    Committing terrorist bombings

    The only problem with this fake narrative

    Is that none of it
    Is remotely true

    There was no crisis
    On the border then or now

    The majority of the refugees
    Were woman and children

    There were no criminals
    Or terrorists among them

    And our intel people knew this
    Knew that the president

    and his acolytes
    Were lying their teeth yet again

    Making a proverbial mountain
    Our of a mole hill

    The democrats
    Have yet to figure it out

    The perfect response
    Oh there goes Donald

    Off his rocker again
    Off his meds

    Making a mountain
    Out of a mole hill

    There is no crisis
    Everything is under control

    Donald is just being unhinged again
    Does not know what the fuck

    He is doing or talking about
    That should have been their response

    In short
    The democrats

    Should have openly
    mocked Trump

    Pointing out yet again
    The emperor has no clothes

    Laughter is the best tackle
    To deal with a clown like Trump

    But the democrats
    Have their own fake outages

    Every day
    Proclaiming Trump

    To the be second coming of Hitler
    And they are the resistance

    Trump is not another Hitler
    He is a con man, a grifter

    Who someone conned 26 percent
    Of Americans to vote for him

    And we will survive him
    And perhaps sanity will slowly return

    But the fake outrage industry
    Will probably continue

    As we have all become addicted
    To our latest outrage of the day

    And she is a vile, disgusting piece of work. Unfortunately for us all, she has the President’s ear. And it because of her pernicious influence that we have the Trump shutdown debacle. Yes it is all on her.
    She published an op ed on the wall. I will now deconstruct her arguments, one by one. When I am finished tearing her apart, I will send it to her with a link to my web page. Hope you enjoy the take down and feel free to share and comment as well. As usual, I ask that you be civil in your comments. But I will not be civil in this take down as she does not deserve to be treated in a civil manner.

    Please, No More ‘Border Security’

    trump will fold on the border wall

    please no more border security

    Ann Coulter
    |
    The media are trying to convince Trump that if he abandons the wall, he’ll be a statesman, so that as soon as he folds, they can start making fun of him as an untrustworthy liar.

    Comment:

    Everyone knows that Trump is an untrusty liar. The media don’t need to do much convincing him. He will never be a statesman it is not in his DNA.”

    end comment:

    Everyone knows that we can never have a secure border without an impermeable barrier — something like a wall — across all of it. The Democrats know it, the voters know it, and the millions of illegals hurtling toward our border like cannonballs know it.

    anne coulter's wall
    trump’s wall

    the great wall of china
    the great wall of China

    Comments:

    The Great Wall of China did not prevent the Barbadian hoards from flooding across Roman Britain.

    great wall of china

    hadrians’s wall

    Nor did the Berlin Wall keep the East Germans inside East Berlin. Walls by themselves are not impermeable and they do not provide 100 percent border security. Everyone who has studied Trump’s proposal realize that it will not work and cost a lot of money and there are cheaper ways to accomplish the goal. The biggest problem though is it does not address the fact that the vast majority of illegals came to the US via valid visas. As long as comprehensive immigration reform is not enacted, the wall will join the list of failed Great Walls of the past. And this is something the democrats know, the voters know (60 percent oppose it, Ann, get your facts straight) and the illegal aliens know it. By the way they are not cannonballs hurling towards the border but human beings fleeing unmanageable horrors. What would Jesus do? He would not build a wall for sure. End comment

    The Democrats’ latest idea is to call a wall “immoral, ineffective and expensive.”

    Comment: it is indeed immoral, ineffective and expense. It is also racists, fundamentally opposed to the values of our country and violates international laws and norms, and basic human rights and our Christian ethos (for those of us who claim to Christian). End Comment

    cost of trump’s wall

    If they think a wall is “immoral,” then they’re admitting it’s effective. An ineffective wall would merely be a place for illegals to stop and get a little shade before continuing their march into the United States.

    Comment: What does this even mean? Something can be immoral but effective. You are right though; a Wall would provide much needed shade in the dessert heat and probably not prevent the illegals from marching under the wall to enter the promised land. End Comment

    Democrats’ backup argument is to cite — every four minutes on MSNBC — Trump’s claim that Mexico would pay for the wall. We’re all baffled by Trump not having already taxed remittances to Mexico to pay for the wall (100 percent within the president’s authority under various banking regulations), but if we’re going to start listing the promises Trump hasn’t kept, this is going to be a long column.

    President Trump on Mexico Paying for the Wall

    In point of fact, however, he never said Mexico would pre-pay. We can tax remittances anytime.

    Comment: I call Bullshit on this. Trump said so many times that Mexico would pay for the wall. Two Mexican Presidents in a wall said that Mexico would never pay for the wall. Taxing remittances might raise money for the wall, but the Mexican government would not be paying the tax so they would not in fact be paying for the wall. And you are also wrong – Trump said that the Mexicans would pay for the wall full stop. That means that the government of Mexico would pay the entire cost of the wall. Get your facts straight, my friend. End comment

    To keep the Third World masses flowing across our un-walled border, the media are demanding that Trump agree to nonspecific “border security.” It’s like ordering a Starbucks and instead of getting a coffee, you’re told to have more “pep.” Now move along. Here’s your change.

    Comment: First of all, substantial parts of the border have border fencing, or drones flying overhead. It is hardly un-walled. About half of the border has some sort of fencing along it. I have been there and seen the border fencing up front. It is there and it is effective.
    The democrats are indeed open to improving border security and spending money for it. Your analogy is strange. I don’t get it. End comment

    Would liberals accept such airy statements of intent in lieu of clear legal commands for any of the things they care about? (Not to be confused with “our country,” which they do not care about.)

    Comment: come on Anne. This is too much. The democrats do care about our country. They want out country to live up to its ideals and to the rule of law and the constitution and all the things that make our country great. Again, I don’t quite get the rest of your comments. What airy statement of intent are you talking about?”

    End comment

    Instead of EPA emissions standards, with specific parts per million of pollutants allowed into lakes and rivers, how about a law promoting “enhanced appreciation of God’s bounty”? Emissions standards are immoral and ineffective!

    Comment: WTF are you talking about? How are EPA emission standards even relevant? And how are they immoral and ineffective? And a law promoting “enhanced appreciation of God’s bounty” would be irrelevant and unconstitional. Again, I don’t understand your tortured analogy. End comment

    Nearly every Republican presidential candidate tried to con voters with these meaningless catchphrases about “border security.”

    Comment: So, you are saying that St Reagan, Bush 1, Bush 2 and Trump all tried to con the voters with false meaningless comments about “border security” ? What about Clinton and Obama ? they talked a lot about border security. And both deported a lot of people, particularly Obama. In fact, under Obama we had a net outflow of illegal aliens and record law apprehensions. Those are the facts. Google them yourself.

    End Comments

    Here are The Des Moines Register’s summaries of some of the candidates’ positions on immigration a few weeks before the 2016 Iowa caucus:

    Jeb Bush: “has called for enhanced border security.”

    Marco Rubio: “proposes … improved security on the border.”

    John Kasich: “believes border security should be strengthened.”

    Chris Christie: “urges … using technology to improve border surveillance …”

    Rand Paul: “would secure the border immediately.”

    Carly Fiorina: “would secure the border, which she says requires only money and manpower.”

    They all lost.

    Comment: they all lost. And they all made specific proposals to improve border security. None of them though call for an “immoral, ineffective and expensive wall” because they knew that like the Great Wall and Hadrian’s wall it would not solve the problem. End comments

    The guy who won: “Trump has said many illegal immigrants are rapists and are bringing drugs and crime to the United States. He has called for building a wall along the southern border, and has said he would make Mexico pay for it. He said he would immediately terminate President Barack Obama’s ‘illegal executive order on immigration.’”

    Comments:

    First, most illegals are not criminals or rapists or drug dealers. I fact illegals commit far fewer crimes than native born Americans. That is a fact. Google it. He did call for a border wall and did say that Mexico would pay for it. So, the Media is right to point out that he said many times that Mexico would pay for the Wall and that the Mexican government said many times that they would not pay for the wall.
    President Obamas illegal executive orders were not in fact illegal orders as the President was merely ordering the Border patrol to prioritize apprehension of illegals to focus on apprehending criminal aliens, and allowing the Dreamers to stay under a variation of protected status which the President and DHS can do and have done many times for classes of people fleeing wars and national disasters. These are all within in his powers as President. So, they are hardly illegal executive orders unlike Trumps “Muslim bans”. End Comment

    Trump got more votes than any other Republican in the history of presidential primaries. No one was falling for “border security” then, and they aren’t now.

    Comments” WTF? Trump has been talking about border security in every speech he has made since he ran for President. I hardly think that the voters were falling for border security. Border security and building a wall are not mutually exclusive categories. End Comments.
    But instead of doing what he said and building a wall, Trump has hired people who don’t even grasp that the point is to make it unattractive to break into our country.

    On ABC’s “This Week” last Sunday, Trump’s head of Customs and Border Protection, Kevin McLennan, announced plans to give illegal alien kids free medical care at the border: “What we’ve done immediately, (Homeland Security) Secretary (Kirsten) Nielsen and I have directed that we do medical checks of children 17 and under as they come into our process.”

    Comment:

    Talk about immoral. Even illegal immigrants should be treated with compassion and given minimal medical care before being admitted and processed. This is fundamental and what Jesus would have done. Anne I know you claim you are a Christian. Why don’t you act like it for once?”

    End Comment:

    Apparently, our working class is rolling in so much free health care that now our country is diverting medical resources to treat other countries’ sick kids.

    Comment:

    You got it wrong. All DHS is doing is providing routine medical care for immigrants who have crossed the dessert and are in danger of dying if they don’t get water, food and first aid. This has nothing to do with diverting resources from the regular medical system. And we can afford it. Comment
    McLennan boasted that we — that’s you, taxpayer — will be providing “doctors, physician assistants, paramedics to do an initial intake check so that we know if a child is healthy as they arrive at the border and then make sure they can get medical care if they need it.”

    Comment:

    What’s wrong with this? Would you rather we let them die? You are comfortable as a Christian letting children die? End comment

    Luckily, this won’t hurt any Americans because the doctors they’re sending to the border are not currently treating any U.S. citizens. Oh wait! This just in: They will be taken away from sick Americans!

    Comment: Again, I call BS. We can treat immigrants at the border, provide basic medical care and then process their applicants according to law and standard procedures. And this does not take away from providing health care to American citizens. End comment

    (Possible 2020 Trump campaign bumper sticker: I voted for a wall and all I got was free checkups for illegals.)

    Comment: Again, I call BS. Nice slogan though. How about this one?
    “I voted for a Wall that does not work – and cost billions of dollars. “

    end comment

    Doctors aren’t like the Petroleum Reserve. We don’t keep them cryogenically frozen, waiting to be unfrozen so they can treat illegals demanding free medical care as the price of hating us. If we rush doctors to the border, they are being rushed away from Americans who need medical care.

    Comment: Interesting but false analogy. We have enough resources to divert a few doctors and nurses to the border. We are not taking away medical care from Americans. End comment

    How about Democrats compile a list, by name, of the Americans they would like not to see their doctors anymore?

    Comment:

    Again, a ridiculous false analogy. We are not diverting doctors from seeing American citizen patients. End comment

    As a result of this boundless compassion for anyone who is not an American, how many more sick kids are going be dragged by their parents across hundreds of miles of desert just to see an American doctor?

    Comment:

    This is also a ridiculous analogy. Immigrants are fleeing horrific violence and poverty at home just to provide a safe haven for their children. They are not coming to the US for free “medical checkups”. End comment

    Mexican cartel member to poverty-stricken Latin American:

    Before setting off on this caravan, I want you to know that when you get to the border your kids will be held up for a medical check. And if they find anything wrong, your child will be given First World medical treatment. Also, you won’t be allowed to pay. I just want you to understand what you’re getting into before you join this caravan.

    Comment: again, ridiculous statement. Do you have any evidence that the cartel organizers are promising people free medical check ups in the US? And do you have any evidence that the provision of free medical check ups is the primary motivation for the caravan migrants to risk their lives to flee across the dessert? No, you do not because there is no such evidence. You pulled this statement out of you xxxx…. just like Trump pulls a lot of his nonsensical statements. End Statement

    And when those kids die, Secretary Nielsen can demand more free medical care for illegals breaking into our country. Instead of having a wall, we’ll have a series of interlocking charity hospitals on the border treating the poor of the world before crossing into a country that didn’t ask for them and doesn’t want them.

    Comment:

    Again, I call BS. No one is talking about providing massive medical care for illegal aliens crossing the border. All they are trying to do is treat the illegal aliens with compassion, and decency and provide minimal medical service, water and food for them before processing them for either deportation, or asslyium. All in accordance with standard procedure, American values and yes Christian values. End Comment

    Sorry, America. You lose again.

    Comment: On this I agree. America indeed is losing due to misguided policies that you promote. Why don’t you spend your time on promoting real solutions to the problem like real border security, comprehensive immigration reform and effective foreign ad to central America so that those countries can prosper and illegal migration will no longer be seen as the only course of action? End comment

  • Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    these are my poems about “Fake Politics” part of my ‘Fake Things’ chapbook.

    Fake Politics

    Politicians often campaign
    On the theme

    That the world is fucked up
    And they have the solution

    When they don’t have
    a fucking clue

    Just another example
    Of fake politics

    Oftentimes a politician
    Will pretend to be something

    Other than they really are
    Nothing but con artists

    Like Donald Trump
    Pretending that he is a devout Christian

    When he never goes to Church
    And is almost a poster child

    of everything that Christianity
    preaches against

    and yet evangelical Christians
    still claim that he is one of them

    this is a prime example
    of fake politics at work

    Another prime example
    The republicans blasted a huge hole

    In the federal deficit
    With their give away tax cuts to the wealthy

    Now they claim
    The only solution to the mess they created

    Is to punish the poor and elderly
    By taking away their social security

    Almost throwing them on the street
    Because they refuse to consider

    Revisiting their tax cuts to the wealthy
    That they did not need in the first place

    And of course
    No one would ever seriously

    Look at the massive bloated
    National security Defense budget

    No, the only driver of the debt
    Is entitlements

    And the poor and elderly
    Will have to pay

    For the mistakes that they made
    Yet another example of fake politics
     

    Fake Solutions

    Politicians love fake solutions
    To real problems

    President Trump’s Wall
    Is a prime example

    politician-build-wall-on-usa-border-674862604

    It will do nothing to solve the underlying problems
    All it will do is waste government spending

    Creating a huge PR nightmare
    That will last for years

    It will not end illegal immigration
    The immigrants will still come

    Until the situation
    in their home lands improve

    And until the US reforms immigration
    Making it a rational, human well thought out

    Simple, and easy to use system
    But that requires real thought

    Real work
    Political skill

    And compromise
    Which is a forbidden word these days

    All of which are sadly lacking
    In this world of fake politics

     
    Fake Outrage

    anne coulter queen of fake outrage

    migrant caravan
    A large group of Hondurans fleeing poverty and violence, move in a caravan toward the United States, in San Pedro Sula, Honduras October 13, 2018. REUTERS/Jorge Cabrera – RC139B215990

    Both sides unfortunately
    Are guilty of the fake outrage

    The Republicans have perfected the art
    Of creating false outrage

    That they push out over the internet
    And on FOX news 24/7

    The underlying facts
    Don’t matter at all

    All that matters
    Is stirring up the base

    The recent caravan is a perfect example
    There was no crisis

    7,000 migrants were coming to the border
    Fleeing violence in Central America

    This was not the first caravan
    Many caravans have come before

    And before Trump and his acolytes
    Turned on the fake outrage machine

    No one had ever thought
    That these caravans
    Were a national security crisis

    Overnight the caravan
    Became this huge menace

    This huge bogyman
    Dangerous criminal aliens

    And terrorists
    And who know what else

    Were attempting to invade
    The U.S.

    If we did not stop them
    At the border

    They would overrun the country
    Infesting the country like vermin

    Raping innocent woman
    Robbing people

    Killing people
    Committing terrorist bombings

    The only problem with this fake narrative

    Is that none of it is remotely true
    There was no crisis

    The majority of the refugees
    Were woman and children

    Fleeing unimaginable violence
    nightmarishly real

    There were no criminals
    Or terrorists among them

    And our intel people knew this
    Knew that the president

    and his demented acolytes
    Were lying their teeth yet again

    Making a proverbial mountain
    Our of a mole hill

    The democrats
    Have yet to figure it out

    The perfect response
    To the Donald is to mock him

    Oh there goes Donald
    Off his rocker again

    Making a mountain
    Out of a mole hill

    There is no crisis
    Everything is under control

    Donald is just being unhinged again
    Does not know what the fuck

    He is doing or talking about
    That should have been their response

    In short
    The democrats

    Should have openly
    mocked Trump

    Pointing out yet again
    The emperor has no clothes

    Laughter is the best tackle
    To deal with a clown like Trump

    But the democrats
    Have their own fake outages

    Every day
    Proclaiming Trump

    To the be second coming of Hitler
    And they are the resistance

    Trump is not another Hitler
    He is a con man, a grifter

    Who someone conned 26 percent
    Of Americans to vote for him

    And we will survive him
    And perhaps sanity will slowly return

    But the fake outrage industry
    Will probably continue

    As we have all become addicted
    To our latest outrage of the day
     
    Fake President

    In this day and age
    Where fake things

    Have replaced real things
    And no one is real anymore

    It is appropriate
    That we have as our leader

    A Fake President
    The President appears to be human

    But in reality
    He is nothing but a fake

    A con man
    A huge grifter

    Who ran as a successful business man
    Who turned out to have been

    Nothing but a con man
    All his life

    And the biggest con of all
    Was becoming President

    Where instead of acting Presidential
    He spends his time

    Plotting ways to make money
    Out of his new found power

    And plots with his buddy Putin
    To destroy America

    Hastening the terminal decline of America
    And even risking a civil war

    And yet this fake president
    Can’t be removed from office

    Because of all his enablers
    His corrupt Republican Leaders

    Who know he is a fake
    Know he is a dangerous lunatic

    Yet do nothing to remove him from power
    And so it goes

    Day by day
    The rot sinks in

    The America I grew up in
    Is burning down

    Led by the fake man
    In orange

    Cheering as the flames burn
    And the US descends into chaos

    And so, I close this poem
    Crying as the US Dies

    Under the leadership
    Of our Fake President

     
    Fake Humans – The Lizard People Take Over

    shape shifting lizards

    Some people say
    On the internet so it must be true

    That the world’s leaders
    Have been taken over

    And are fake humans
    From another planet

    In reality
    They are shape shifting aliens

    Lizards from another planet
    Draco or Sirius or the Dog Star

    And some days
    As I watch our fake President

    Pretend to be President
    As he mails it in

    I wonder
    Is he a shape shifting

    lizard alien overload
    That would explain a lot

    And makes some sort of perverted logic
    For in a world

    filled with fake people
    Having fake humans

    Running the world
    Is poetic justice

    And as I close this poem
    I look at the TV

    And I swear
    It is true

    Our leaders are all fake humans
    Shape shifting alien lizards

     
    Merry Christmas, World, From Your Friend, President T.

    fake politician
    president trump

    President T
    The greatest president
    In the world

    Who has gotten more done
    Than any president before him

    The smartest president in the world
    Who had the best words
    Of all Presidents

    Who knew more about everything
    Than any other President

    Looked out at what he saw
    In late December

    And realized

    He still had not yet achieved
    His dream of building a great wall

    To keep the brown people out
    And America was not yet great again

    Still too many libtards protesting
    The fake media still screaming lies

    Foreign governments still refusing
    To obey his commands
    +
    He was the leader of the world
    Did’nt they get that?

    Ungrateful ingrates
    Taking American money and jobs

    At the direction of the damn Globalists
    Who have infiltrated his own government

    Hmm well he still had a few surprises
    He would shut down the government

    He would fire his generals
    Bring the troops home

    And wall street would rejoice
    The stock market would bounce back

    Congress would once again
    Do their part

    And pass his legislation
    As he showed them

    And the world
    Whose was boss

    And so,
    President T

    Gave his Christmas gift
    To the grateful country

    +++++++++++++++++++++++Shutting down the government
    Firing the generals
    Announcing he was pulling the troops back home

    Cancelling all pending green energy reforms
    Because Americans wanted to buy

    Gas guzzling cars
    their god given right after all

    Now that we were the kings
    Of energy again

    Who gave a damn
    About climate change

    It was all a hoax
    by the Chinese and the Global elites

    And on Christmas eve
    The market tanked

    And the great depression loomed
    And President T

    Said this too will pass
    Great things are about to happen

    As I am President t
    The greatest,

    most beloved President
    in history

    as my friends Putin and Kim
    assure me every day

    Merry Christmas America
    And to the rest of the world

    Fuck you, too.
    I hate you all.

    And to all
    A good night

    God bless America
    Make Russia Great Again 

    Fake Adds

    The world
    Is awashed with fake ads

    Can’t tell the difference
    Anymore

    Between the fake ad
    And the real ad

    Satire is Becoming Harder than Ever

    Satire is becoming harder
    And harder to pull off

    The old adage
    You can’t make this up

    Becomes the only true thing
    Left in a world of fake things

    As this mad comedy of a realty show
    Called the Presidency of President T

    Careens out of control
    I was arrested for Publishing Merry Christmas,

    America from your favorite President, President T

    I am charged with violating the Patriot act,
    for giving aid and comfort to the nation’s enemies

    for mocking the Presidency
    in such a vulgar manner

    and for insulting the honor
    and dignity of the Presidency.

    The President demands
    that I be made an example of.

    Something had to give.
    The political comedians were out of control,

    the writers were publishing
    all sorts of vile lies.

    I am arrested
    and brought before the court.

    My defense was simple.
    Freedom of speech and freedom of press

    I denied that I was slandering the President
    I pointed out that most of the words I used

    Were words that the President himself said
    And I read from his speeches

    And my lawyers cited supreme court precedents
    one after another

    And stated that there was no law in the US
    banning satirical poetry, comedy or writing.

    Now in many other countries
    this might be considered offensive

    and in some countries a crime.
    But up until now the right of Americans

    to make fun of their leaders,
    yes to mock the rich

    and powerful was a cherished
    part of American life.

    And there was no provision
    in federal law

    for cancelling a pension
    because the President was offended

    by a poem
    or a piece of writing

    written by an American.
    in America

    I could be denied a security clearance
    or a federal job perhaps

    but my pension could not be taken away
    again under current Federal law.

    So if President Trump
    wanted to do all of these things

    Congress would have to pass a law.

    Perhaps the Make America Great Again
    Shut the Critics Up law

    like the alien and sedition laws
    that the Supreme court ruled

    were unconstitional?
    in 1803

    And this poem could not be considered
    hate speech as I did not call the President names

    or advocate violence against him.

    All I did was mock his pretensions
    that he was the greatest President

    in the history of the world.
    And of course the Supreme court

    could rule that the first amendment
    did not apply

    when the President says it does not.

    That of course would make them complicit
    in ushering in a dictatorship.

    For if Americans are forbidden from criticizing,
    yes even mocking their leaders

    then we have lost
    all of our freedoms

    Putting me on a no fly list
    as a suspected terrorism

    was also not permitted
    as no where in my poem

    did I advocate terrorism.

    In my writing I am satirical
    and provocative

    but it is clear
    that I love my country,

    just want it to live up to its potential
    and in that way America

    could become great again.
    And I did apologize

    to the President
    if he was personally offended.

    I suggested that he look into his heart
    and realize that he is not the greatest President

    in the history of the world,
    and make amends and ask forgiveness.

    But he was the President
    and he could do whatever he wanted to do

    and I would continue
    to exercise my first amendment rights

    as long as the first amendment
    was still intact.

    The judge ruled
    against the government

    and I am ordered free
    but the Judge warned me to be careful.

    For now you are free
    but in the future who knows?

    The judge is pilloried
    on right wing media.

    My only response was to tweet
    President T

    I will meet you at your hamburger
    joint of choice or a steak house

    And buy you dinner
    To say that I am sorry.

    The President tweet back
    Sorry I never eat dinner

    With pathetic losers
    like yourself

    You may have won for now
    But watch yourself

    We may come after you
    And your family

    And your friends
    And you followers

    You have been warned
    be very afraid

    I tweet back
    Thank you President T

    You are the best President
    In the whole history of the world, Not!

    And I publish our tweets
    Which infuriates the President

    But soon he is dealing with impeachment
    And the world soon forgets me

    And my poetic
    moment of glory

  • Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    these are my reflections on the passing of the years

    Worst Year Ever

    2017 How Much I despise You
    Following 2016 the second worst year ever
    Will 2018 be any better ?

    And what we have suffered
    The darkness settles on the land
    Like a curse on the land

    As our mad demented senile dotard king wannabe
    Struts about the worlds stage
    Ushering Americas inevitable decline

    As America’s foes and friends wonder
    Has America gone mad
    Turing over ultimate power to this man
    A con man narcistic criminal

    Self proclaimed smartest man in the room
    In reality a clueless reality TV hustler
    Whose sell by date has expired

    As he tries to make America great again
    For white Christian men

    The rest of the country struggles
    To cope with the ever declining standard of living

    The 1 percent loved the stock market
    Love the dismantling of the regulatory state
    The corporate tax cuts

    and the coming plunder of the land
    Can Disney Yellowstone be the future?

    While the rest of the world
    Embraces the energy of the future
    And this great denier of the truth
    Wants to boldly take America back

    To the 19th century era of oil, and coal

    Yet perhaps it does not matter in the end
    As long as we have one another

    The darkness will come
    But it will go away someday soon
    The great American nightmare will be over

    This is what I pray for 2018
    The end of the darkness
    that consumes our land
     
    COSMIC CALENDAR

    calendar months
    calendar months

    January

    January arrives cold as death warmed over
    As I make my annual list of resolutions
    Of the great things I would do

    The lies I tell myself to keep me going
    While recovering from the hangover of the year before
    With regrets for the evitable passing of time itself

    And snow bound cold nights of wild passion
    As we delay death’s knocking on the door

    February

    February is a strange month
    Cold, short and eventful

    In the U.S. The political season heats up
    As politicians rush about

    Making their campaign lies
    Full of promises of things to come

    As we the 99 % huddle down inside
    Watching the lies on TV

    Outside Winter’s last dying breath

    March

    March roars in full of sound and furry
    Signifying the future marching down upon us all

    And March madness hits the sports world
    And politicians meet to plot and scheme

    As we bravely battle the cosmic elements
    Waiting for the promised spring

    Hay fever greets me
    With the early spring flowers

    April

    April is indeed the cruelest month of all
    So many important events occurred

    Kim Il Sung’s Birthday, Hitler’s Birthday
    And in the U.S. the dreaded tax man cometh

    To take it all away as the flowers overwhelm
    And Spring Fever takes hold

    Driving us all mad
    With strange erotic desires

    May

    May is in many ways
    My second favorite month of all
    The flowers are blooming bright

    The mountains are aflame with desire
    The summer heat is coming

    The plans for the year are coming along
    The political campaigns heat up
    And good movies come out

    Star wars arrived
    Spider man and superman and batman

    All came out to play
    In late May

    And baseball begins in earnest
    And most importantly

    My wife was born

    June

    June is always a month of transition
    End of the school year

    Summer transfer season
    People leaving people coming

    Hurricanes and Tornados attacking
    And wars starting and people dying

    As fire flies buzz about
    And rabbits eat my garden

    As the summer heat descends upon the land
    I walk late at night

    Recalling that Watergate
    Occurred in June

    July

    July is the queen of the summer season
    As she heats up the land

    Throwing storm after summer storm
    And politicians run away
    After the July forth fireworks

    Man landed on the moon
    Richard Nixon Left the White House

    And we all know that half the year
    Has flown by

    August

    So much has happened
    During the hottest most hellish of months

    Despite the summer sauna that descends upon the land
    Enervating all driving people mad with the heat

    World War 1 started
    World War 11 ended
    Hiroshima ushered in the nuclear age

    Hurricanes Katrina and Harvey
    And tornado ally
    All roar down upon the land

    And I met the love of my life
    Getting off a bus
    One August evening

    September

    What can one say about September
    Like June a month of transitions

    And one is filled with ambition
    Wanting to finish up what one started

    Before the fall arrives
    And Winter is hinting it is coming

    School starts
    New jobs start

    New people come into one’s life
    And like August’s hangover

    Big earth shattering events happen
    The fall of the stock market

    The housing bubble bursting
    The endless budget games

    As the politicians argue
    Whether to bankrupt the country
    To make a political point or two

    And 9-11 terrorizing the world
    All September’s gifts to the land

    October

    October is my favorite month of all
    The leaves turn

    The weather is usually delightful
    Just a tease of the coming winter

    Fall ball season underway
    Baseball games and Halloween madness
    ends the month with a huge bang

    And I celebrate my legal birth on the 29th
    Also the day I legally got married

    And on the October 30 1955 I was born
    And Rock n Roll was born as well

    Coincidence I think not

    November

    November is one of the strange months
    Begins like a hangover of October

    Then it turns ugly and weird
    Political fever hits the land

    Every two years
    As the people brave the early November chill

    To decide what fools they will send to DC
    The politicians lie and scheme and plot

    And beg and lie again
    And the world turns

    And the new leaders emerge
    Welcome the new Bosses

    Same as the old bosses
    Just new packaging

    And Donald Trump storms the barricades
    Threatening the establishment’s strangle hold
    On America and the world

    Yes November is a strange month

    December

    Perhaps the loneliness month of all
    The most consequential of all the months

    And yet also the most depressing end of time
    Kind of month

    If the apocalypse zombie or otherwise
    Were to occur

    It would be in December
    That is the sort of insane month it is

    The end of the year
    As darkness settles down on the land

    And holiday parties abound
    Full of false cheer

    And faked love
    And for those who don’t celebrate Christmas

    A lonely day perhaps at the movies
    A few awkward calls to the relatives

    Then New Years
    Watching the world end

    Drinking up a storm
    And knowing that the year ended

    And you are one step closer to the grave
     
    .
    POEM: FALLING RAIN

    rain end of the year
    rain falling

    The falling rain
    Of late October

    Fills me with essential dread
    As I rush about

    And end up here
    Wherever here is

    The rain outside
    Seems like the tears of god

    As I sit
    Crying over my beer

    Thinking of lost love
    And failed dreams

    Wondering
    What went wrong?

    And what I can set right
    And the rain falls

    And the night darkens
    The rain is falling

    All over this man’s world
    And the rain falls

    And I sit
    Drinking my lonesome drink

    Lost in dreams
    Dreaming of what
    Could never be

    Thinking dark thoughts
    And so I sit

    And dream the night away
    literary yard poems by Jake Cosmos Aller

  • Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    새해 복 많이 보내세요 (Saehae bok manhi bonaeseyo).
    happy new years in Korean! from a cold Korean day

    2018 End of the Year Updates to World According to Cosmos

    I have just updated my blog, “the World According to Cosmos” with fresh content for the new years. I have over 300 followers and over 1,000 hits since I launched it in February 2018.
    Please head on over and sign up. I hope you will like it.

    here are the “2018 End of the Year Updates to “the World According to Cosmos.”

    Highlights include publication of my poetry in All Poetry, Poetry Soup, Cosmosfunnel, Hello Poetry, Poetry Magnum Opus, writing.com, and Open Arts Forum among other sites. You can follow me there, as well as here!!!!
    The Ugly writers have published a number of my poems on Sleaze. I have started publishing my Fake Things chapbook on the blog, with my ‘Fake Foods” poems being featured. I also have started publishing my “Snarling Cup of Coffee” chapbook featuring my coffee poems and my love poems. Duane Poetree recently published my “No More Coffee “ blues and he has published a number of other of my poems. Please visit his site for great poetry. Outlaw poetry is another site that has published a lot of my work. Please visit them as well. Two Drops of Ink has published a number of my poems as have Scarlet Leaf Review. Please visit them as well. Ariel Chart has published some of my short stories. Worth a visit there as well.

    in the coming year I hope to become an Instagram, Pinterest and You Tube poet as well. Stay tune.

    Have a great and productive year of the Golden Pig in 2019.

    photo of pig zodiac symbol
    year of the pig

    It is especially poignant because my wife was born 60 years ago in the year of the Golden Pig. I was born in the year of the Goat. According to Chinese astrology that is the best possible marriage combination.

    year of the pig

    Enjoy and visit my web page and let me know what you think.

  • Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    third of my fake food rants for today mostly related to fake booze i.e. fake alcoholic beverages, fake beer, fake wine, fake vodka, fake beer, fake rum, and some success stories in the battle against fake things – development of real soju and Malaki traditional drinks in Korea that are now mostly real booze not the chemical based booze of a few years ago

    these are my poems about “fake booze” from the wide variety of alcohol free booze, to chemically produced booze, it seems that it is hard to get real old fashioned unadulterated booze these days. Oh well.

    Fake booze

    I never really understood
    The concept of alcohol-free booze

    Alcohol-free beer
    Alcohol-free wine

    I don’t get Mocktails
    And I don’t get fruit beer
    And coffee beer

    And other the other weirdo drinks
    That people drink these days

    I mean when you drink booze
    You want the alcohol

    You want the buzz
    You need the booze
    And you want it now

    And frankly fake booze
    Just does not do it for me

    So please no fake beer
    No mocktails
    No fake wine for me

    As the song puts it
    One scotch, one bourbon
    And one beer

    So, either give me the real deal
    Or give me a cup of tea

    Or coffee or water or juice
    Or whatever

    But don’t serve me fake booze

    Comment: I also don’t get fake alcohol although like fake coffee I may eventually learn to like it. But not yet…
    end comment

    Fake Beer

    Nowadays
    When you order a beer

    You have so many
    choices to make

    You can order a craft beer
    Or in Korea a fake craft beer

    You can order a stout, an IPA
    You can order draft beer

    You can order canned beer
    You can order keg beer

    You can order bottled beer
    You can order freshly brewed beer

    You can order fruit beer
    You can order corn beer

    You can order gluten-free beer
    You can order fortified beer

    You can order alcohol free beer
    You can order low-alcohol beer

    near bear
    or no-alcohol beer

    You can order light beer
    You can order dark beer

    And if you are insane
    You can order coffee infused beer

    But nowhere in this fake world
    That we live in

    Can you simply say
    Give me a beer

    And get a god damn beer
    No more choices

    Just give me
    a damn beer

    Is that too much to ask
    Or Beer Gods?

    comment: another poem about fake booze – in this case fake beer end comment

    Fake Wine

    Like beer
    Wine has evolved
    Into so many damn choices

    White wine
    Red wine

    Rose white
    Dark wine

    Chardonnay, sauvignon blanc,
    pinot grigio

    wine from any of the 49 US states
    and 7 Canadian provinces
    Arizona “Rattle Snake” wine anyone?

    wine from 20 European countries
    including Great Britain
    due to global warming

    wine from Australia
    wine from New Zeeland
    wine from South Africa

    and even wine from India
    South Korea and Japan

    and various types of fruit wines
    strawberry wine
    apple wine
    persimmon wine

    but all I want to have
    is a simple glass of wine

    a real glass of wine
    made from real grapes

    and I don’t give a %$%%
    where it is from
    or what type of grape it is

    just give me my wine
    and leave me the bill

    comments: another poem about fake booze – in this case fake wine end comments

    the King of Fake Beer

    Years ago, in America
    A beer manufacturer

    Discovered that it did not matter
    Whether he made a decent beer or not

    All he had to do
    Was hire the right marketing genius

    And spend a gazillion of dollars
    To convince the world

    That his fake lousy beer
    Was not only the real deal

    But the best you could get
    And the rest is history

    Another poem about fake booze – in this case fake beer and the awesome power marketing. I assume some people like this beer but for me, it is the worst beer in the world. My personal opinion so if someone from this company is reading this and wants to sue me go ahead Make my day! I consider this beer “fake beer” because I am sure that it would fail the German beer purity laws and I am sure it is filled with chemical enhancers but I could be wrong, perhaps it is real beer, just the worst tasting beer there is in my humble opinion.

    Fake Rum

    Another poem about fake booze – in this case fake rum and the awesome power marketing that make the worst rum in the world the number one selling rum in the world! My personal preference – I like Mount Guy rum, I only drink this unnamed rum if there is no choice and I want a rum drink. My personal opinion so if someone from the company is reading and wants to sue me go ahead Make my day! Again I assume that it has lots of chemical enhancers but who knows it could be real rum but the advertising makes it a fake rum in my opinion as they falsely claim it is the best rum in the world.

    In Puerto Rico
    An exiled rum maker

    Discovered the same secret
    And turned his rum

    The worst rum in the world
    According to rum heads

    Into the best-selling rum
    In the world

    Forever ruining the image
    Of rum

    Among non-rum drinkers
    Who associate rum

    With his overly sweat
    Rum product

    Real rum is a delicious
    Well-crafted complex drink

    And every island in the Caribbean
    Central America, Hawaii
    Australia, Thailand

    And even some states in the US
    Have their national rums

    All of which
    Are far better

    Than the fake rum
    Sold around the world

    But that hardly matters
    In a world of fake things
    Marketing rules the world

    Fake Vodka

    vodka
    Used to a Russian thing
    Not anymore

    Vodka
    Used to made out
    Of potatoes
    Not any more

    Now Vodka
    Is made everywhere

    In France, in Sweden
    In Poland, In Russia
    In the Ukraine
    And even in Texas

    And vodka
    Now is made with herbs
    Potatoes, sweet potatoes
    Corn, rye and so much more

    And some vodka
    Is made with chemical enhancers

    But for me
    Give me

    A straight shot
    Of proper Russian
    Potato made vodka

     
    Fake Soju

    bottles of korean liquor soju
    soju

    There is some good news
    In the war
    Against fake food

    Soju
    The Korean drink of choice
    Used to be made out of chemicals

    But 20 years ago
    The government allowed soju
    To be made with real grains again

    And so artisanal soju was born
    Now you can get soju

    Real soju made from sweet potatoes
    According to ancient recipes

    But soju has been watered down
    No longer packs quite the punch

    Still the cheapest drink
    In the world

    Fake Malkali

    More good news
    In the endless war
    Against fake food

    In Korea, you can now get
    Artisanal malkali
    The Korean rice wine

    Malkali the drink of farmers
    Used to be made out of chemicals

    But the government legalized
    100 real rice wine
    Decades ago

    When malkali became the latest thing
    As Koreans rediscovered traditional culture

    And malkali the drink of farmers
    Became the drink of the urban intellectual set

    what is fake alcohol?

  • Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    sheet music
    sheet music

    Cosmos’s music play list 2018

    Like my book and movie lists, I have been keeping track of the music that I have listened to during the year. Due to copy right restrictions I can not share the music with you all. But I would love to hear what music you all are enjoying during the year. Here then is Cosmos’s Music Play list 2018 version.


    Note: around September I installed Microsoft Dictation. The program does not work as advertised but when it does it allowed me to dictate every song off the albums I downloaded so the list gets more detailed after that.

    For 2019, I will continue to download music and listen to a wide variety of music. I hope to add more neo soul and hip hop to the list, although I am not a huge fan of rap music, some of it is good. and I’d like to include more K Pop.

    cosmos’s music play list (listed in order I downloaded them)

    Jimi Hendrix Blues

    Transformations Sounds of Silk Road

    Chopin Ballades and Scherzos

    Eric Clapton Live from Madison Square Garden

    Rory Gallagher

    Van Cliburn Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto

    Music from the Source

    No Matter

    Songs of George Gershwin

    Blue Grass Collection

    John Corigliano Symphony Number 2
    Corelli Concerti Grosse

    Copland Billy the Kid
    Copland Rodeo

    Groff Grand Canyon Suite

    Reggae sun splash live

    Jane Coop the Romantic Piano
    Chopin,
    Liszt,
    Schumann,
    Debussy,
    Mendelssohn,
    Rachmaninoff,
    Brahms

    Grateful Dead Fillmore West 1969

    The Greatest of the Guess Who

    Tibetan Chants for World Peace

    De Falla Nights in the Gardens of Spain
    De Falla the Three Cornered Hat

    Franz Schubert Moments musicaux
    Robert Schumann Phantasiestucke
    Arnold Schoenberg Sechs Klein Klaveristucke

    The Animals

    Beethoven Triple Concerto

    Alan Berg
    Six Orchestra pieces
    Alan Berg Lyric Pieces

    Berlioz Requiem

    Brahms Symphony Number 2

    Best of Jackson Browne

    Branford Marsalis Quartet Upward Spiral

    Mozart Masonic Funeral Music

    Rihanna Music of the Sun

    The Jazz Divas
    Ellis Fitzgerald Time Along Will Tell
    Ellis Fitzgerald Its Only a Paper Moon
    Billie Holliday Love Me or Leave Me
    Dinah Washington Blues for a Day
    Doris Day My Young and Foolish Heart
    Deena Durbin Its Foolish But Fun
    Doris Day My Young and Foolish Heart
    Deena Durbin Its Foolish But Fun
    Judy Garland Moon River
    Judy Garland Stormy Weather
    Lena Horne At Long Last Love
    Ethel Merman I Get a Kick Out of You
    Peggy Lee Just One of Those Things
    Peggy Lee the Lady is a Tramp
    Sarah Vaugh Misty
    Sarah Vaugh Round Midnight

    Schoenberg Variations for Orchestra

    Strauss Metamorphous

    Wagner Der Fiegendle Hollander Overture
    Wagner Parsifal preludes

    Aton Webern Passacaglia
    Aton Webern Six Pieces for Orchestra
    Aton Webern Symphonie Number 2

    Hindemith Quarter for Clarinet, Violin, Cello and Piano

    Brahms Piano Concerto 1
    Brahms Piano Concerto 2

    Eric Clapton Back Home

    Edward Grieg Sonata
    Georges Bizet Premier Nocturne
    Variations Chromatiques

    Jean Sibelius Sonatina for Piano F Sharp Minor
    Jean Sibelius Sonatina for Piano E Mayor
    Jean Sibelius Sonatina for Piano B Flat
    Jean Sibelius Three Lyric Pieces

    Mozart Eine Klein Nachmuscik

    Tchaikovsky Nutcracker Suite

    Vivaldi Four Seasons Spring

    Brahms Hungarian Dance

    Mozart Symphony in D

    Chopin Waltz in D Major

    Straus Trutscge-Treasch Polka

    Bach Brandenburg Concerto

    Tchaikovsky Swan Lake

    Bizet Carmen Suite

    Handel Messiah

    Mozart Wind Serenade

    Vivaldi Violin Concerto

    Handel Water Music

    Tchaikovsky Sleeping Beauty

    Mozart Symphony Number 26

    Chopin Waltz

    Bach Violin Concerto

    Handel Water Music

    Bach Brandenburg Concerto

    Ravel Habanero

    Mozart Horn Concerto

    Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini

    Strauss Thunder and Lightning Polka

    Sousa Stars and Stripes Forever

    Cesar Frank Violin Sonata

    Camille Saint Saenz Violin Sonata

    Maurice Ravel Violin Sonata

    Dvorak Cello Concerto
    Dvorak Kild Silent Woods
    Dvorak Slavonic Dance
    Dvorak Humoresque in G Flat
    Dvorak Songs My Mother Taught Me

    Pink Floyd Meddle

    Johnny Cash The Great Lost Performances

    Hindemith Quarter for Clarinet, Violin, Cello and Piano

    Shostakovich Piano Quintet

    Essential Tchaikovsky

    Aretha Franklin Divas Life
    Aretha Franklin Beautiful Ballades and Love Songs

    Diana Krall When I look into your eyes

    Brahms Piano Trios

    Benjamin Britten Cellos Suites

    Leonard Cohen Live In Dublin

    Yundl Li Vienna Recital

    Scarlatti Piano Sonata in E
    Scarlatti Piano Sonata in C

    Mozart Piano Sonata in C Major

    Robert Schumann Carnival

    Franz Liszt Rhapsodie Espanola

    Quincy Jones Juke Joint

    Kraus Symphonies

    Pure Mc Cartney

    George Telemann
    George Telemann Sonata in B
    George Telemann Concerto in B
    George Telemann Quartet in G

    Isaac Hayes

    Pink Floyd meddle

    Euro lounge

    Tibetan chat

    Brahms 5 trios

    Hayden the creation

    Beethoven 9 symphonies

    JS Bach Well Tempered Clavier

    Bob Marley and Wailers Exodus

    Brahms Variations on a Theme by Haydn

    Beethoven Five Piano Concertos

    Albert King

    Best of Sting

    Pink Floyd The Wall

    Steppenwolf Gold

    Telemann Chamber Music

    Elger Enigma Variations

    Paul Hindemeth Quartet for clarinet, violin, cello and Piano

    Scriabin Piano Sonatas 3,4,5, and 9

    Schoenberg Variations
    Shostakovich Piano Quintet

    Brahms Horn Trio

    deep purple a fire in the sky

    Beethoven Cello Sonatas

    Expo New Age Music

    Diane Warwick Odds and Ends

    Dave Matthews Band

    Scott Joplin piano music

    Rachmaninov Sonatas for cello

    Rachmaninov 24 Preludes
    Rachmaninov Symphonic Dances
    Rachmaninov Russian Rhapsody

    Robert Schuman
    Robert Schuman andante and variations
    Robert Schuman Adagio and Allegro

    Beethoven Diabelli variations

    Charlie Daniels Band

    Sweet home Alabama
    Shaky ground
    Falling in love for the Night
    Marie lavaux
    Your love has lifted me higher and higher
    Mississippi queen
    around and around
    A change is gonna come
    Can’t see you see
    Let it roll
    rainbow ride
    roll Mississippi
    In America
    Still in Saigon
    Carolina I remember you
    Feeling free
    the devil went down to Georgia
    running with the crowd

    Diana Krall

    Turn up the quiet
    Like someone in love
    Isn’t it romantic
    LOVE
    Night and day
    I’m confessing that I love you
    Moonglow
    Blue skies
    sway
    no Moon at all
    Dream
    I’ll see you in my Dreams

    Miles Davis Love Songs

    I had to fall in love too easily
    I thought about you
    Summer night
    My Ship
    someday my prince will come
    Stella By Starlight
    My funny Valentine
    I love you porgy
    old folks

    Rachmaninov
    Second piano Concerto
    Third piano Concerto

    Shostakovich 24 preludes and fugues

    Scriabin piano Sonatas
    Scriabin number 2
    Scriabin number 7 white mass
    Scriabin Quarte Morceaux Opus 56
    Scriabin Deux Poems Opus 32
    Scriabin Two dances opus 73

    Stan Getz The Smoothest Operator

    opus de bop
    And the Angels swing
    Running water
    Don’t worry about me
    Pardon my bop
    as I live and I bop
    Interlude in bebop
    Bopelbath
    Pinhead
    Diaper pin
    Frosty
    Battleground
    Four and one more
    Five brothers
    of the Saxes
    gets along
    Stan’s Moods
    Slow
    Fast
    Skullbuster
    Ante Room
    Poop Deck
    Indian summer
    Long Island sound
    Marcia
    Preservation
    crazy chords

    the cranberries

    Ode To My Family
    I Can’t Be With You
    21
    Zombie
    Everything I Said
    The Icicle Melts
    Disappointment
    Ridiculous Thoughts
    Dreaming My Dreams
    Your Grave
    Daffodil Laments
    No Need To Argue

    The Grammys 2018 nominations

    24 K Magic Bruno Mars
    Love So Soft Kelly Clarkson
    Dispatcito Luis Fonsi And Danny Yankee
    Humble Kendrick Lamar
    Green Light Lorde
    Childish Gambino Red Bone
    The Story Of OJ Jay Z
    Stay Zedd And Alesia Cara
    Million Reasons Lady Gaga
    Imagine Dragons Thunder
    Feel It Still Portugal The Man
    Something Just Like This The Chainsmokers And Coldplay
    What About Us Pink
    Song Of The Year 1-800-273-8255 Logic
    Issues Jillian Michaels
    Praying Kesha
    Broken Hallos Chris Stapleton
    Little Big Town Better Man
    Craving You Thomas Rhett
    You Look Good Lady Antebellum
    All The Pretty Girls Kenny Chesney

    George Thorogood party of one

    I’m a steady woman
    Soft spot
    Tallahassee woman
    Wang dang doodle
    boogie chillum
    No expectations
    Bad news
    Down the highway
    Got to move
    Born with the blues
    The Sky is crying
    hookers
    Pictures from the other side
    one bourbon one Scotch one beer
    Dynaflow Blues

    The Roaring Twenties

    CD 1

    Blue Heaven Gene Austin
    Valencia Paul Whiteman
    Tip Toe Through The Tulips Nick Lucas
    3 O’clock In The Morning Paul Whiteman
    Parade Of The Wooden Soldiers Paul Whiteman
    California Here I Come Al Jolson
    Cherrie Paul Whiteman
    If You Knew Susan Like I Do, Eddie Canton
    What I Do Paul Whiteman
    Song Of India Paul Whiteman
    Down Hearted Blues Bessie Smith
    Linge A While Paul Whiteman
    Ramona Paul Whiteman
    Ida Sweet As Apple Cider Brad Nichols
    No No Nora Eddie Cantor
    Spain Isham Jones
    Great Day Paul Whiteman
    Old Man River Paul Whiteman
    Say It With Music Paul Robeson

    C D 2

    Whispering Paul Whiteman
    April Showers Al Jolson
    Honey Rudy Vallee…
    A Little Spanish Town Paul Whiteman
    My Angel Paul Whiteman
    Washbash Blues Isham Jones
    Stumbling Paul Whiteman
    Hot Lips Paul Whiteman
    Somebody Loves Me Paul Whiteman
    Marge Eddie Cantor
    Among My Souvenirs Paul Whiteman
    Me And My Shadow Whispering Jack Smith
    Singing In The Rain Cliff Edwards
    The Japanese Saman Paul Whiteman
    Am I blue Ethel Waters
    Together Paul Whiteman
    remember Isham Jones
    my man Fanny Brice

    Pitbull climate change
    We Are Strong
    Bad Man
    Green Light
    Messing Around
    Better On Me
    Sexy Body
    Freedom
    Options
    Educate Ya
    Only Ones To Know
    Dedicated
    Can’t Have

    Chopin Vladimir Ashkenazy Piano
    Chopin Nocturne Op 62 no 1
    Chopin Scherzo No 4 Op 54

    Debussy Vladimir Ashkenazy Piano
    Debussy L’Isle Joyeuse

    Ravel Vladimir Ashkenazy Piano
    Ravel Gaspard D’la Nuit

    Chopin – Vladimir Ashkenazy Piano

    Prelude in C Sharp Minor op 45
    Scherzo No 1 in B Minor Op 20
    Scherzo No 2 in B flat minor op 31
    Scherzo no 3 in C Sharp Minor Op 32
    Scherzo no 4 in E major Op 54
    Barcarole in F Sharp Minor Op 60

    Schubert Vladimir Ashkenazy Piano

    Sonata in A Major
    Sonata In A Minor
    Fantasia in C Major
    Sinfonias Etude Op 13
    Hungarian Melody
    12 Waltz

    Scriabin Vladimir Ashkenazy Piano, London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Prometheus Poem of Fire
    Piano Concerto in F Sharp Minor

    Santana Ze bop

    Changes
    E Papa Re
    Primera invasion
    Searching
    Over and Over
    Winning
    Tales of Kilimanjaro
    A sensitive kind
    American gypsy
    I love you much too much
    Brightest Star
    Hannibal

    Pink Floyd Chollas Desk One

    Astronomy dominee
    See Emily Play
    happiest days of our lives
    Another brick in the wall
    Echoes
    Hey you
    My room
    Marooned
    The Great Gig in the sky
    Set the controls for the heart of the sun
    money
    keep talking
    sheep
    sorrow
    CD 2
    Shine on you crazy diamond
    Time
    The fletcher memorial home
    comfortably numb
    When the Tigers broke free
    one of these days
    us and them
    learning to fly
    Arnold Layne
    wish you were here
    jugband
    blues
    high hopes
    bike

    Tchaikovsky The seasons

    Meditation
    Polka for dansante
    Aveu passionate
    Tendes reproaches
    Bercuse
    Les Saisons

    The sound Of Piazzolla
    Libertango
    Escualo
    Oblivion
    Bordel 1900
    Fuga Y misterio
    adios nonino
    Primavera portena
    Verano Porteno
    Otono Porteno
    Invierno Porteno
    Asleep
    Le Grand tango
    La muerte del Angel
    Los Pejaros Perdidos

    Disk Two

    Concerto del Angel
    Tango ballet
    Maria de Buenos Aires
    Tango operetta

    Joseph Martin Kraus

    Symphony in E Flat
    Symphony in C
    Symphony in C minor
    Olympie Overture

    Benjamin Britten Cello Suites

    Suite 1
    Suite 2
    Suite 3

    Richard Straus -Early works
    Schneiderpolka
    Serenade in G
    Introduction
    Adagio
    Scherzo
    Finale
    Gavotte
    Serenade
    Concerto in C minor
    Grand March

    Roy Orbison
    Only the lonely
    Leah
    In dreams
    Uptown
    it’s over
    crying
    dream baby
    blue Angel
    Working for the man
    Candy man
    Running scared
    falling
    I’m hurting
    Claudette
    oh pretty woman
    Mean woman blues
    Ooby Dooby
    Lena
    blue Bayou

    Symphonic queen
    We will rock you
    I want it all
    These are the days of our lines
    Tie your mother down
    love of my life
    crazy little thing called love
    don’t stop me now
    One vision
    under pressure
    the show must go on
    I want to break free
    we are the Champions
    flash
    A kind of magic
    Fat bottom girl
    another one bites the dust
    You’re my best friend
    Bohemian rhapsody

    Foo Fighters

    all my life
    Best of you
    everlong
    pretender
    My hero
    learn to fly
    times like these
    monkey wrench
    big me
    break out
    long road to ruin
    this is a call
    skin and bones
    world forward
    everlong

    Rod Stewart classics

    Have you ever seen the rain
    fool around and fell in love
    I’ll stand by you
    still the same
    it’s a heart ache
    day after day
    missing you
    Father and son
    best of my life
    if not for you
    Love hurts
    everything I own
    crazy love

    Oliver Nelson

    CD One

    Jams and jellies
    passion flower
    Don’t stand up
    Ostinato
    What’s new
    Blues baby Blues
    Train Whistle
    Doxing
    In time
    Lou good dues
    all the way
    Groove

    CD 2
    screaming the blues
    march on March
    The drive
    the meeting
    3 seconds
    Alto It is
    blues at the 5 spot
    blues for Monday Friday
    Anacruses
    Perdido
    in passing

    CD 3
    stolen moments
    hoe down
    Cascade
    Yearnin
    images
    Six and Four
    Mama Lou
    Ralf’s New Blues
    straight ahead
    11443
    CD 4
    Main stem
    J and B
    Ho
    Latino
    Tipsy
    Tangerine
    Message
    Jungleaire
    Emancipation blues
    There’s a Yearning
    Going up North
    Disillusions
    Freedom dance

    Billie Holiday Disk one

    As time goes by
    autumn in New York
    Billie’s blues
    blue moon
    comes love
    don’t explain
    east of the sun
    easy to love
    Embraceable you
    everything I have is yours
    A fine romance
    Georgia on my mind
    God bless the child
    can’t face the music

    disc 2

    I cover the waterfront
    I got a right to sing the blues
    if you were mine
    Jim
    Lets call a heart a heart
    Lets do it this, lets fall in love
    Love for sale
    Love me or leave me
    Lover comes back to me
    Lover man
    Miss Brown to you
    Moon Glow

    Disk 3

    My Man
    Night and Day
    please don’t talk about me when I’m gone
    please keep me in your dreams
    solitude
    spreading rhythm around
    strange fruit
    Summertime
    Tenderly
    These foolish things
    What a little Moonlight can do
    Yesterdays
    Your going to see a lot of me
    you’re so desirable

    Otis Rush and Buddy Guy

    Introduction
    Coming home baby
    Jam
    Instrumental
    All your love
    Crosscut Saw
    I wonder Why
    Buddy Guy intro jam
    Five long years
    Look On Yonder Wall
    Things that used to do
    I smell a rat
    Gambler’s Blue
    Post Show interview

    Willie Nelson Song Bird

    Raining Day blues
    Songbird
    Blue hotel
    Back to earth
    Stella blue
    Hallelujah
    $1000 wedding
    We don’t run
    Your Love
    Search Amazing Grace

    Make my day Back to blue Fast Eddie Clark

    Nothing left
    Mountains to the sea
    Make my day
    Heavy load
    fast train
    Walking too slow
    Haven’t gotten the time
    One way
    my new life
    Ethereal Blue

    best of ZZ Top

    Tush
    Waiting for the bus
    Jesus just left Chicago
    Francine
    Just got paid
    La Grange
    Blue Jean Blues
    back door love affair
    Bear drinkers and hellraisers
    heard it on the X

    Neil Young greatest hits

    Down by the River
    Cowgirls in the sand
    Chinatown girl
    helpless
    after the goldrush
    only love can break your heart
    Southern Man
    Ohio
    heart of gold
    like a hurricane
    comes a time
    Hey Hey only my
    Rocking in the free world
    Harvest Moon
    Joshua tree YouTube
    Where the streets have no name
    I still haven’t found what I’m looking for
    with or without you
    the bullet the blue sky
    Running to stand still
    Red Hill mining town
    in god’s country
    trip through your wires
    one tree Hill
    exit
    mothers of the disappeared
    Luminous times
    Walk to the water
    Spanish eyes
    deep in the heart
    silver and gold
    sweetest thing
    race against time
    where the streets have no name
    Beautiful Ghost
    Wave of Sorrow
    Dessert of our Loves
    Rise up
    Drunk Chicken
    America

    YS 11-28-2018

    Bach Piano concerto number 7 in G minor, Simone Dinnerstein, piano

    Whitney Houston Disc one
    You give good love
    saving all my love for you
    greatest love of all
    all at once
    you say my eyes are beautiful
    Didn’t we almost have it all
    Where do broken hearts go
    all the man I need
    run to you
    I have nothing
    I always love you
    Why does it hurt so bad
    I believe in you and me
    Heartbreak Hotel
    My love is your love
    Sign script different cast
    could I have this kiss forever

    Disc two

    Fine
    if I told you that
    It’s not right but it’s
    my love is your love
    Heartbreak Hotel
    I learn from the Best
    Step by step
    I’m every woman
    Queen of the night
    I will always love you
    Love will save the day
    I’m your baby tonight
    so emotional
    I wanna dance with someone who loves me
    how will I know
    greatest love of all
    one moment in time
    the star spangled banner

    Philip Glass piano Concerto number 3 , Simone Dinnerstein, piano

    Eduardo Lalo Symphonie Espanola -Kyungwha Chun violin orchestra symphonic de Montreal

    Camelia Saint saen’s violin Concerto number 1 in a major C-
    Kyungwha Chun violin orchestra symphonic de Montreal

    Linda Ronstadt

    Lose again
    The tattler
    if he’s ever near
    that’ll be the day
    Lo siento mi Vida
    Hasten down the wind
    River of Babylon
    give one heart
    try me again
    crazy
    down so low
    promise to lay down beside me

    The Wallflowers

    One headlight
    5th Ave Heartache
    3 Marlenes
    The difference
    invisible city
    letters from the wasteland
    hand me down
    sleepwalker
    I’ve been delivered
    when you on top
    how good it can be
    closer to you
    beautiful side of somewhere
    God says nothing back
    Eat you sleeping
    God says nothing back

    An evening with Chic

    everyone dance
    dance dance dance
    I want your love
    I’m coming out
    upside down
    he’s the greatest dancer
    we are family
    At last I’m free
    I’m thinking of you
    Le freak
    good times

    Sheryl Crow

    Run baby run
    Leaving Las Vegas
    strong enough
    can’t cry anymore
    Solidify
    the nan a Song
    What can I do for you
    all I wanna do
    we do what we can
    I shall believe

    Adelle 21

    Rolling in the deep
    rumor has it
    turning tables
    don’t you remember
    set fire to the rain
    He won’t go
    take it all
    I’ll be waiting
    one and only
    love song
    someone like you

    Babyface

    for the cool in you
    lady, lady
    never keeping secrets
    rock bottom
    and our feelings
    Saturday
    when can I see you
    illusions
    a bit old fashioned
    you are so beautiful
    Well Always

    BTS FACE OFF
    Ringwanderung
    Best of Me
    Japanese version
    DNA
    Not today
    Mic drop
    don’t leave me
    go go
    crystal snow
    spring day
    let’s go
    Crack

    Van Halen:
    Disk One
    Eruption
    It’s about time
    Up for breakfast
    Learning to sing
    Ain’t talking about love
    Finish what you started
    You really got me
    Dreams
    hot for teacher
    Pound cake
    And the cradle will rock
    black and blue
    jump
    Top of the world
    oh pretty woman
    love walks in
    beautiful girls
    can’t stop loving you
    Unchained

    Disk Two
    Panama
    best of both worlds
    Jammie’s Crying
    Runaround
    I’ll wait
    why can’t this be love
    Running with the Devil
    When’s It Love
    I love dancing in the street
    Not Enough
    Feels so good
    Right now
    everybody wants some
    dance the night away
    Ain’t talking about love
    Panama
    jump

    Benny Anderson, piano
    I let the music speak
    you and I
    Aiding
    you for the music
    Stockholm by Night
    Chess
    The day before you came
    someone’s else’s story
    Midnattsdans
    Marlarlsoland
    I wonder
    Embassy Lament
    Anthem
    My love, my life
    Mountain Duet
    Flickornas Run
    Eter Regret
    Trosevisa
    En Sekrit
    happy new year
    I got Bevar

    Caesar Frank
    Sonata for Violin and Piano in A Major

    Debussy
    Sonata for Violin and Piano

    Kyungwha Chung Violin, Radu Lupu Piano

    Haydn Violin Concertos

    Concerto in C major
    Concerto in A major
    Concerto in G major

    Augustin Hadelick Violin
    Cologne Chamber Orchestra

    Luther Vandross

    Shine
    Get you home
    Never too much
    Take you out
    Superstar
    Here and now
    Dance with my father
    A house is not a home
    Give me the reason
    I’d rather
    Any love
    Power of love/ love power
    Think about you
    Wait for love
    Your secret love
    The closer I get to you duet with Beyoncé
    Buy me a rose
    Endless love duet Mariah Carey

    Sade Ultimate Collection
    Disk One

    Your love is King
    Smooth Operator
    hang on to your love
    the sweetest taboo
    Is it a crime
    Never as good as the first time
    Jezebel
    Love is stronger than pride
    Paradise
    nothing can come between us
    no ordinary love
    kiss of life
    feel no pain
    Bullet proof soul

    CD 2

    Cherish the day
    Pearls
    by your side
    Immigrant
    Flow
    king of sorrow
    sweetest gift
    soldier of love
    The moon in the sky
    By Your side

    Blondies Greatest hits
    Dreaming
    Call me
    one more another
    heart of glass
    The tide is high
    x offender
    hanging on the telephone call
    Rip her to Shreds
    Rapture
    atomic
    Picture this
    in the flesh
    Dennis
    I’m always touch you by your presence
    Union City blues
    The hardest part

    Chopin Complete Mazurkas

    Mazurka in G

    Mazurka in b flat
    Mazurka in A minor
    Mazurka in F
    Four Mazurkas op 6
    Five Mazurkas op 7
    Mazurka in B flat, number one
    Mazurka in D, number two
    Four Mazurkas op 17
    Mazurka in C Number 3
    Mazurka in A Flat Number 1
    Four Mazurkas op 21
    Mazurka in G, number 3
    Four Mazurkas op 30
    Mazurka in A minor, number five

    CD 2

    Four Mazurkas op 33
    Mazurka in A minor, number four
    Three Mazurkas op 50
    Three Mazurkas op 56
    Three Mazurkas op 59
    Three Mazurkas op 63
    Mazurka in A minor, op 67 number 4
    Mazurka in G minor, op 67 number 2
    Mazurka in F minor, op 67 number 1

    Rem Urasin, Piano

    Big Bang Remember

    Intro
    Ohahoh
    Pokunlorur
    Panchakpanchak
    Strong Baby
    Mongchanhansaram
    Ohahoh acoustic
    Majimakainsa
    Remember

    Ultra trance

    CD one
    Guru Josh project Infinity 2006
    Benny Benassi Come Fly away
    Tresto Press alone in the dark
    Randy Boyer and Kristina sky Feet No limit
    Deadmaus5 Ghost and stuff
    Axewell and Bob Sinclair What a wonderful world
    Marcus Schulz the new world
    Above and beyond On a good day
    Armin von Burien In and out of love
    Ferry Corsten Made of love Man
    Milk inc Forever
    Basshunter All I ever wanted

    CD 2
    David Guetta Everything we touch
    Eleze teardrop
    Serge Devant Addicted
    Andy Duguid Don’t Belong
    Sia buttons
    Jes imagination
    Kashade step 1 2
    John Dahback Out and there
    Anent Aratani alive
    frontier change the world
    Energy 52 café de mar
    Fragma Memory

    Berge
    violin Concerto
    Bartok violin Concerto Kyungwha Chung Violin,
    Chicago Symphony Orchestra

    Schubert Piano trios Ashkenazy, Zuckerman Harrel
    Now That’s what I call the 80des
    George Michael faith
    Whitney Houston how will I know
    Paula Abdul straight up
    Rick Astley never gonna give you up
    Lionel Richie dancing on the ceiling
    The Jacksons torture
    Robert Palmer simply irresistible
    Richard Marx don’t mean nothing
    Bryan Adams run to you
    The police every little thing she does is magic
    Bruce Hornsby and the range the way it is
    journey separate ways
    Cyndi Lauper true colors
    Markita Toy Soldiers
    Duran Duran a view to a kill
    Dead or Alive You spin me round
    Billy Idol rebel yell
    Human League don’t you want me
    Rockwell somebody’s watching me

    Sting The journey And the labyrinth

    Flow my tears
    The lowest trees have tops
    Fantasy
    Come again
    have you seen the bright lily grown?
    In darkness let me to dwell
    Hell Hounds on my trail
    message in a bottle

    Bruce Springsteen Thunder road

    Thunder road
    Adam raised a cain
    spirit in the night
    4th of July
    paradise by the C
    fire
    Growing up

    It is hard to be a saint in the city
    Backstreets
    Rosalia
    come out tonight
    raise your hand
    Hungry heart
    two hearts

    John Fogerty

    Have you ever seen the rain
    Travelling Band
    Down on the corner
    Born on the Bayou
    Lodi
    Center field
    Hot rod heart
    Southern Streamline
    Déjà vu
    Premonition
    Almost Saturday night

    Aerosmith

    CD one

    Let the music do the talking
    My fist your face
    shame on you
    heart done time
    rag Doll
    dude looks like a lady
    Angel
    hangmen jury
    Permanent vacation
    Young lust
    The other side
    What it takes
    monkey on my back
    loving in an elevator
    Janie’s Got a Gun
    ain’t Enough
    Walk this way

    CD Two

    Eat the Rich
    Love me two times
    Head First
    living on the edge
    Don’t stop
    Can’t stop messing
    Amazing
    Crying
    crazy
    shut up and dance
    Dueces are wild
    walk on water
    Blind man
    Falling in love It’s hard on the knees
    Dream on
    Hole in my Soul
    sweet emotion

    rock revolution David Garrett

    In the air tonight
    Born in the USA
    Stairway to heaven
    superstition
    Bittersweet Symphony
    killing in the name
    purple rain
    Eye of the Tiger
    fix you
    concerto number one
    the well dressed guitar
    You’re the inspiration
    Duel Guitar Vs Violin
    Bahamian rhapsody
    earth song

    blue oyster Coat superhits
    Don’t fear the reaper
    this ain’t this summer of love
    Godzilla
    the red and the black
    OD’d on life itself
    going through the motions
    Black Blade
    screaming diz busters
    burning for you
    Flaming telegrams

    9 inch Nails broken
    Pinion
    Wish
    Last
    help me I am in hell
    happiness in slavery
    Gave up

     
    December 19 2018 YS library

    STYX

    Overture
    Gone gone gone
    Hundred Million miles
    Trouble at the big show
    Locomotive
    radio silence
    the greater good
    Time may bend
    Red Storm
    All systems stable
    Khedive
    The outpost
    Mission to Mars

    Walking in the air Howard Blake

    walking in the air
    music box theme
    Laura’s theme
    Prelude for vova
    Speech after long silence
    8 Piano Pieces
    Dances for two pianos
    Sonata for two pianos
    piano fantasy
    four easy pieces
    romanza
    haiku for Yu-Che
    Parting

    George Benson Inspiration
    Mona Lisa
    just one of those things
    unforgettable
    Walking My Baby Back home
    When I Fall in Love
    Route 66
    Ballerina
    Smile
    Straighten Up and fly right
    Too young
    I am going to sit down and write myself a letter
    Mona Lisa

    Shostakovich
    Cello Sonata in D minor
    Moderato for Cello and Piano

    Sergey Prokofiev
    Cello Sonata in C Major
    Real Carnival
    Caballeria do zeze
    Quem Sabe Sabe
    Me da um dinhiero ai
    Saca-rolma
    Turm do funil
    Trem das onze
    Recordar
    De Laterna na mao
    Tristeza
    Attire a primeria Pedro
    Festa para uum rei negro
    Mascara negra
    Cicade maravihosa
    Trasplantae de corinthiano
    Marcha de cueca
    Mamae eu quiero
    Allah-la-o
    Exatacao a mangueira
    a fonte secou
    maduriera chorou
    todo dia e dia
    maracangalha
    enlouqueci
    vem chegando a madrugado

    the goat Rodeo Yo Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile

    Attaboy
    quarter chicken dark
    helping hand…
    Wheres my bow?
    Here and Heaven
    Franz and the Eagle
    Less is moi
    hill justice
    no one but you
    Goat Rodeo

    Rachmaninov
    Sonata for Cello and Piano

    Sonic Youth

    Sacred trickster
    Antenna
    Poison arrow
    no way
    anti-orgasm
    What we know
    Malibu Gas Station
    Walk in blue
    Leaking Lifeboat
    Calming the Snake
    Thunder clap for Bobby pyn
    Massage The history

    Shostakovich
    Piano Quintet

    Blue note All Stars Our Point of View

    Disk one

    Bruce’s Vibe
    Cycling through Reality
    Meanings
    Hannah
    witch hunt
    second light

    disc 2

    Masquelier Feast
    Bayyinah
    Message of hope
    freedom dance
    Bruce, the last Dinosaur

    Red Baratt Shuggy JI

    Huua Bot
    Tenu Lene
    Shuggy Ji
    Burning instinct
    Dama dam mast Oatlandar
    Shakot
    Apna Punjab Hove
    private dancers
    FIP
    little betetnut
    Azad Azad
    Aarthi

    Duke Ellington Newport to Paris

    Black power
    Take the A train
    Up Jump
    Black butterfly
    Things ain’t what they used to be
    El Gato
    Satin Doll
    Diminuendo and crescendo in blue

    Ultra Hits

    Maino Feet – all of the above
    Gorilla Zoo – echo
    Ne-Yo because of you
    Pitbull I know you want me
    Rihanna breaking dishes
    DJ class I’m the Ish
    MIMS move if you wanta
    Young Jeezy feat My President
    GS Boys Stanky leg
    OJ Da Juice man Make the Trap Say Aye
    Slim Thing I run
    Remedy Featuring Da Pounders hot music
    Pleasure P boyfriend # 2
    Chelly Took the Night
    Punjabi MC beware of the boys
    Enur featuring Bennie Man and Natalie Storm Whine
    Sharon Feature Kid Cudi She came Along

    The classic trumpet
    Baldassare Sonata No 1 for Cornetto and Strings
    Hertel trumpet concerto
    Marcello Concerto in D
    Tartini Concerto in D Major
    Neruda Concerto in E Flat for trumpet and Strings
    JS Bach Suite in D
    Handel Suite in D Major for Trumpet, Strings and Basso Continuo

    BB King Live
    Mr. King comes on stage
    why I sing the blues
    I need you so
    Bad case of love
    blues man
    When love comes to town
    over again
    you are my sunshine
    Rock Me baby
    Hey to the highway
    the thrill is gone
    when the Saints come marching in

    B.B. King one kind favor

    See that my Grave is Kept clean
    I get so weary
    Get these blues off of me
    How many more years
    waiting for your call
    my love is down
    world gone wrong
    Blues before Sunrise
    midnight blues
    Backwater Blues
    Sitting on top of the world
    tomorrow night

    JS Bach Trios Yo Yo Ma, Chris Thile Edgar Meyer

    Trio Sonata number 6 in G Major
    Prelude number 9 in A Major From Well Tempered clavier Book 1
    Wachet auf, ruft uns die stimme
    Fugue number 20 in A minor From Well Tempered clavier Book 11
    Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesus Christ
    Prelude and fugue number 18 in E Minor
    Passepied from keyboard paritia in G Major
    Kommest du nun, Jesu, vom Himmel herunter
    Contrapuncturs 13 from the art of the Fugue
    Erbarm dich mein, o Herre Gott
    Sonata for Viola De Gamba

    Andre Previn

    Piano Concerto
    Guitar Concerto

    Rachmaninoff Four Piano Concertos, Vladimir Ashkenazy Piano, Concertbouw Orchestra, Philharmonic Orchestra
    Piano Concerto no 1 in F Sharp minor
    Piano Concerto no 2 in C Minor
    Piano Concerto No 3 in D minor
    Piano Concerto no 4 in G Minor
    Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini

    NYT’s best classical-music-of-2018

  • Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    movie night poster
    night at the movies

    Jake’s Cosmos Aller’s Movies Watched During 2018.

    Like my book list, I have been keeping a list of movies and TV shows watched during the year. Here is my list of movies watched during 2018.

    I saw 76 movies/TV shows during the year. Many of them I saw while flying to and from Asia four times this year – I almost always watch five movies enroute as I can’t sleep very well on planes.

    re TV shows, I enjoyed “Better Call Saul”, “Enterprise”, “Discovery”, “Once Upon a Time”, “Mr. Sunshine”,
    “the Expanse” and “Travelers”.

    the worst movie of the year for me was “Rage”, the best was “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Manchurian Candidate,” the original movie.

    The best series was “Once Upon a Time” and “Mr. Sunshine”.

    Would love to see what my friends have watched. For the first time I tried to grade the movie/show. I have been binge watching a lot of shows as well as movies of course. Most were English movies, but I did see some Korean movies as well.

    For 2019 I hope to see a lot more movies as a megabox theater opened about one mile from my house. It has a great shabu shabu restaurant, will soon have a sauna and a bowling ally. I can see spending a lot of time there! saw Bohemian Rhapsody there on Christmas day.

    hope to hear from you regarding your own favorite movies of the year.

    Jake Cosmos Aller

    here’s the list of Movies Watched During 2018

    1. Once Upon a Time ABC mini-series a
    2. Taken Earth c
    3. Alice Through the Looking Glass b
    4. The Vault c too scary a movie
    5. GORA Turkish SF comedy c
    6. Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Men Tell No Tales b
    7. Cowboys Vs Dinosaurs b
    8. Enterprise complete season b
    9. Frequency series b
    10. Coverdale Paradox d

    On plane

    11. Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (on plane) b
    12. Kong Island of Skulls (on plane) c
    13. GeoStorm (on plane) c

    Korea

    14. Lost and Found
    15. Beatriz at Dinner
    16. The Expanse Netflix Original b
    17. Discovery Netflix b
    18. Drone Wars c
    19. Prometheus Trap c
    20. Backway c
    21. The Mermaid b
    22. The Great Wall c
    23. Gold c
    24. King Arthur c
    25. The Legend of Zoro c
    26. Jumper c
     
    On Plane

    27. The Kingsman Golden Circle b
    28. King Arthur 2016 b
    29. The Black Panther a
    30. The Death Cure b

    In Korea

    31. Guardian of the Tomb 2018 Netflix c
    32. Timeless Series three seasons Netflix b

    On Plane

    33. Atomic Blond c
    34. Central Intelligence Agency b
    35. All the Money in the World b
    36. Molly’s Game b

    DC

    37. Erased b
    38. Bad Lieutenant c
    39. Bangkok Dangerous c
    40. Bodies of Lies b
    41. Princess Diary b
    42. Phenomenon a
    43. Do Over c

    On Plane

    44. Going Out in Style b
    45. Nice Guys b

    In Oregon

    46. Extinction b
    47. Beyond Skyline c
    48. Secret City one episode is enough
    49. Ripped c
    50. A Series of Unfortunate Events b
    51. Hamlet OSF A
    52. Revolutionary Road b
    53. The experimenter b
    54. Rage c
    55. Wild Oats c
    56. Jurassic Park Fallen Kingdom Eastern Market Cinema b
    57. Stasis b

    On Plane

    58. Han Solo b
    59. Rampage c
    60. Wrinkle in Time b
    61. Manchurian Candidate A

    Back in Korea

    62. Better Call Saul A
    63. Tau b
    64. Earth’s Final Hour c
    65. Get Out A
    66. Prometheus Trap b
    67. The Postman b
    68. Doc Holliday’s Revenge b
    69. The Horseman b
    70. Young Gun b
    71. Ballade of Buster Scruggs b
    72. Mr. Sunshine Korean TV mini-series A
    73. Travelers all three seasons b
    75. Bohemian Rhapsody Theater A
    76. The Happening 2008 movie b

    rotten tomatoes best movies of 2018

  • Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Jake Cosmos Aller 2018 Reading List

    I read a lot this year, completed 85 books, and started book reviews on Good Reads. As usual a very eclectic reading list. My goal for 2019 is 100 books including a lot more poetry, and short stories as I continue my publication quest, and I’d like to read a couple of books in Spanish and at least one in Korean. Would love to see what other people have read this year. One of my highlights was reading the entire “Oz” series, and re-reading Wind in the Willows.” The Oz stories have a hidden agenda, as the Land of oz is depicted almost like a communist paradise. I wonder why these books were not condemned at the time as being dangerously subversive?

    Drop me a line and lets chat about favorite books read.

    1. William Oday Darwin Protocol
    2. Steve Richer – the Kennedy Secret
    3. Steve Doucette The Space Ship Next Door
    4. Richard Dawkins the God Delusion
    5. David Baldacci End Game
    6. Blake Crouch Dark Matter
    7. Joe Hill Snap Shot
    8. Joe Hill Loaded
    9. Joe Hill Aloft
    10. Joe Hill Rain
    11. John Le Carre A legacy of Spies
    12. James Patterson Humans Bow Down
    13. Preston and Childs The Cabinet of Curiosities
    14. JL Bourne Tomorrow War YS too right wing a point of view but still decent
    15. Milton Collected Poems
    16. Nathan Van Coop In Times Like These
    17. Austin Dragon Liquid Cool
    18. Kim Stanley Robinson New York 2140
    19. William Johnstone The Doomsday Bunker
    20. David Cay Johnson Its Even Worst Than You Think What the Trump Administration is Doing to America
    21. Chris Fleur Little Blue
    22. Steven Vincent the Foundation
    23. Dinsel Noell White Rabbit
    24. Brad Taylor Ring of Fire
    25. Stephen Coots Liberty Last Stand
    26. Harry Turtledove Armistices The Hot War
    27. Seoul Survivor 2017-2018
    28. Brendan Dubois Resurrection Day
    29. Rachael Lee Crimson Code
    30. Graham the Wind in the Willows
    31. Stuart Woods Unbound
    32. John Grisham Sycamore Row
    33. John Grisham The Whistler
    34. Mike Bose Hidden Agenda
    35. Austin Dragon After Eden
    36. Alex Lukeman the Solomon Scroll
    37. Al Li Not a Memory Exactly
    38. Mt McGuire Few Are Chosen
    39. Mt McGuire The Wrong Stuff
    40. Nick Thacker The Jefferson Legacy
    41. Nick Thacker Relics
    42. Austin Dragon Blood Hollow
    43. Austin Dragon Through these Streets Darkly prequel to Liquid Cool
    44. Ernie Howard Midnight Portals – Short Stories
    45. Lost Templar Tom Harper
    46. James Becker Lost Treasures of the Templars
    47. Lincoln Cole Everett Exorcism
    48. Johann David Wyss Swiss Family Robinson
    49. Tom Harper Lost Temple
    50. James Becker Lost Treasure of the Templars
    51. William Shakespeare King Henry V – also saw at OSF
    52. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
    53. The Marvelous Land of Oz
    54. Ozma of Oz
    55. Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz
    56. The Road to Oz
    57. The Emerald City of Oz
    58. The Patchwork Girl of Oz
    59. Tik-Tok of Oz
    60. The Scarecrow of Oz
    61. Rintitink in Oz
    62. The Lost Princess of Oz
    63. The Tin Woodman of Oz
    64. The Magic of Oz
    65. Glinda of Oz
    66. Stuart Woods Unbound
    67. Stuart Woods The Money Shot
    68. David Baldacci The Fallen
    69. Randy Wayne white Caribbean rim
    70. Stephen King Full dark no stars
    71. Nick Jones the Unexpected Gift of Time
    72. Austin Dragon Tek Fail
    73. Ernest Dempsey Earnest Templar
    74. Lonely Planet guide Korea
    75. Lonely Planet Guide Seoul
    76. Howard Pyle Adventures of Robin Hood
    77. Brandon Ellis Atlantis
    78. Stephen Hawking Brief Answers to Big Questions
    79. Randy Wayne White Mangrove Lightning
    80. James Patterson Never Never
    81. Victor Cha the Impossible State
    82. Rick Wilson Everything Trump Touches Dies
    83. Steve Berry The Bishop’s Pawn
    84. AC Fuller The Anonymous Source
    85. Matthew Mather Darknet

     
    Reviews – Partial list

    Jake Aller’s Reviews > Tik-Tok of Oz

    Tik-Tok of Oz (Oz, #8)
    by
    L. Frank Baum
    Recommended for: fans of the oz books

    always loved the Oz Books. This is the sixth of the 24 I have read. I think I will go ahead and binge read the rest of the series. This particular book was a fun quick read and introduces the Tik Tok man the Shaggy Man, Cap Bill and Trot It also has a veiled satirical look at the society of the early 20th century. Oz is depicted almost as communist utopian society! Ruled by a benevolent dictator.
    Update: finished reading the rest of the series. The social criticism is there, buried here and there. I am surprised that the Oz stories were not banned by social conservatives!!!!

    The Solomon Scroll (The Project, #10)
    by
    Alex Lukeman (Goodreads Author)

    not too bad a thriller. In the genre of Don Brown’s thriller with a nice twist, involving an ancient religion, and some supernatural elements as well. An interesting nexus between Catholic conspiracies and Islamic terrorist organizations. The love scenes could have been drawn out a bit more. but overall I’d give it a solid B and would read more from this author in the future.

    Jake Aller’s Reviews > The Wind in the Willows

    The Wind in the Willows
    by
    Kenneth Grahame
    I first read this when I was 6 years old. Re-read it at age 62. Still fresh and lively and full of great language and vivid images. Strong characters especially Toad, Rat, Badger and the Mole. My favorite is probably the Rat. I can identify with him. There were several tangents that would have made a great sequel particularly the sea rat’s offer to Rat to join him on a voyage to the Southern seas.

    I also like the basic story line that humans and animals all lived together in relative harmony and understanding. That was a nice story line in and of itself. All in all, I can see why this story has remained a classic story.

  • Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    more poems about fake food

    From GF bread, (really good for you) to Healthy Choice food choices meh not so good for you and KFC and McDonalds more fake food for ya

    Fake Bread

    Fake Bread

    Nowadays
    Most of the time

    I eat fake bread
    GF bread

    For health reasons
    My wife can’t tolerate the real thing

    And so,
    I eat fake bread
    Fake pasta
    Fake pizza

    But every so often
    I want the real deal

    I crave bread
    Made with wheat

    And a real pizza
    And real pasta
    And real donuts

    comments: No disrespect to those like my wife who has celiac disease. But bread was originally made with wheat, hence in that sense “GF bread is Fake Bread, a kind of “fake food” ” given my definition of “fake” meaning altered from the original in some fashioned. Granted the wheat used nowadays has little to do with the original wheat used by our ancestors. and gluten is probably bad for everyone, and I do like it but once in a while I want bread made with wheat. end comments

    Fake Cheese

    In America
    Most commercial cheese
    Are processed cheese products

    Chemically enhanced fake cheese
    With maybe 25 percent
    Real cheese from real cows

    The rest
    Chemicals and flavorings
    And who knows what

    Can’t pronounce the damn ingredients
    And that can’t be good

    I crave real cheese
    My favorite is Tillamook cheese
    From Oregon

    But I love real cheese
    But I have to restrict myself

    If I eat what I want
    I would gain 25 pounds
    Overnight

    My wife claims
    Even thinking about cheese
    Causes me to gain weight

    And so,
    cheese is banned
    From my house

    And boy do I miss
    Real cheese

    Never liked the fake stuff though
    Just not a Velveeta cheese product fan

    comments: can’t handle cheese any more – I gain weight just looking at it! but Velveeta is not cheese! end comments

    Fake KFC

    There is a joke
    That many years ago
    KFC was ordered to change
    Their name

    From Kentucky Fried Chicken
    To KFC

    Because according to the court
    The chicken contained only 10 percent chicken meat
    The rest was chemicals, soy, other extenders

    And the chicken was not fried
    And not made anymore
    in Kentucky

    That may or not be true
    But I did visit the KFC museum
    Near the highway rest stop
    Where the first KFC opened up

    Back when they produced real fried chicken
    From chickens sourced in Kentucky

    And it was 100 percent chicken meat
    With spices etc
    No extenders at all

    I toured the museum
    But did not eat there

    Last time I ate at a KFC
    Was in Sapporo Japan
    for five weeks

    When my American co-workers
    Insisted on an American fast food lunch

    I got sick from the KFC
    My body just could not handle
    The chemicals anymore

    And so,
    I never went back
    And never will

    Comment: enough said

    Fake Mc Donald’s

    Mcdonalds Fast Food Stockfoto Getty Images

    Mc Donald’s is the king
    Of the fake food industry

    Their burgers are unnatural abominations
    If you leave the burgers out for days

    You can still cook them
    And that ain’t natural
    And ain’t right

    No one knows really
    What is in the burgers
    That is a corporate secret

    But one knows
    That it can’t be good for you

    I lost my taste for Mc Donald’s
    And Burger King and Wendy’s
    About ten years ago

    I last ate at Burger King in St Lucia
    And ate at Mc Donalds in India

    Mc Donalds in India
    Is not allowed to serve beef

    They finally settled on a chicken burger
    As their burger of choice

    Wisely abandoning the Raja mutton burger
    Which just tasted horrible
    The veggie burgers were the best though

    But I still crave a burger
    And will eat at other chains
    Or gourmet burger places

    But the sad reality
    The burgers are all the same

    Ten percent beef
    The rest chemicals and extenders

    One day a study came out
    Linking eating fast food burgers
    To ED among men

    And that may be true
    It is also true

    That eating fast food daily
    is courting death at an early age

    One day the CEO of Burger King
    Came out in a Press conference
    To denounce the movie
    Super Size me

    He said

    “Fast food burgers are perfectly safe
    And delicious
    I had a Whopper for lunch”

    Then he collapsed and died
    From a massive heart attack

    Poetic justice
    At work

    comment: May be an urban legend but boy is that an illustration of poetic justice at work! comment

    Fake healthy Food

    The evil food industry executives
    Are on to us

    They proclaim
    That they get it
    They need to sell us healthier food

    And so, they present
    all sorts of so-called healthy food
    For us to consume

    Only problem
    The food is still

    the chemical enhanced fake food
    they always make

    25 percent real ingredients
    75 percent chemicals and extenders

    they just slap a healthy choice label on it
    charge you double

    and proclaim it is healthier for you
    Than the other crap they sell

    but no processed food is healthy
    only food created from scratch
    can be considered healthy food

    So, as you enjoy
    your healthy choice fake food
    just remember this

    it is still fake food
    still poison

    comments: Sums up my feelings on fake food. I try to eat mostly healthy real food but when traveling don’t have much choices outside of my own kitchen. End Comments

    14 Foods You Eat Every Day That Aren’t What You Think They Are

  • Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Welcome to the world according to Cosmos.  I am your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller, aka Cosmos.  I have been blogging for about 10 years since I retired from the US Foreign Service back in 2016. During my service, I worked in 10 countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, St. Lucia, St Vincent, South Korea, India, Spain) and DC, and visited 45 countries. I have been to all States, DC and PR.   I have been living in South Korea with an annual visit to the States -Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, DC since then. I have lived in five different cities in the U.S. -Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and DC,

    The purpose of this blog is to provide a place for me to show my fiction, poetry, and political rants. I have decided, though to forgo any hot political topics for now as I don’t want to get into trouble with the man or invite cyber bullying, which unfortunately is happening all too often in the blogosphere.

    Politically, I lean left but distrust hard-core ideologues on the left and on the right. I am a never trumper democrat, and a Bernie bro, and a big supporter of the LGBTQ community as I have LGBTQ and trans friends. Religion-wise, I am an agnostic sort of a new age neo Buddhist or dudist. My favorite movie is  “The Big Lebrowski”.  I am a big K-drama fiend. I am a big blues and funk fanatic. My favorite band is Tower of Power.  My poetry is outlaw poetry style, neo-beatnik flavor. My fiction tends to be sci-fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a political family.  My father taught at Cal State SF.  I have 18 nationalities swirling in my family background.  From my father, I am part Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian.  From my mother, English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh.  Because my mother was from the lost tribe of the Cherokee nation -descended from indians who ran away into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears, I may also be part Chowtah, Creek, and Seminole Indian as the lost tribe members intermarried with other fleeing Indians, white settlers, and escaped slaves.  The DNA test only shows native ancestry, not broken down by tribe.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name, Cosmos. The name Cosmos came about because my great-grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name aller to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked up Aller and found Cosmos or Universe.  I am the third and last Cosmos Aller.   The name has nothing to do with me being born in Berkeley, although no one believes that, as the name is so “Berkeley”. Universe would have been even more of a Berkeley vibe, I think.

    I appreciate my readers and any comments you may have.  Please keep your comments civil. It is important that we all get along and remember that, despite our differences, we are all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not my enemy.

    Thank you, and please enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry.

    Jake Cosmos Aller aka Cosmos

    About This Blog
    Poems and Rants from the Cosmos

    Welcome to The World According to Cosmos. I’m your host, John (Jake) Cosmos Aller — better known simply as Cosmos. I’ve been blogging for about ten years, ever since I retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2016. During my career, I served in ten countries (Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, South Korea, India, and Spain) as well as Washington, D.C., and I’ve visited forty‑five countries. I’ve also traveled to every U.S. state, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico.

    Since retiring, I’ve been living in South Korea, with annual visits back to the States — usually Oregon, Northern California, and Washington, D.C. Over the years, I’ve lived in five U.S. cities: Berkeley, Stockton, Seattle, Alexandria, and Washington, D.C.

    This blog is my space to share fiction, poetry, and the occasional political rant. For now, I’m steering clear of the hottest political topics. I have no desire to attract trouble from the powers that be or to invite cyberbullying, which has become far too common in the online world.

    Politically, I lean left, but I distrust hard‑core ideologues on both sides. I’m a Never‑Trumper Democrat, a Bernie Bro, and a strong supporter of the LGBTQ community — many of my friends are LGBTQ or trans. Spiritually, I’m an agnostic with a New Age, neo‑Buddhist, “Dudist” streak. My favorite movie is The Big Lebowski. I’m a devoted K‑drama fan, a blues and funk enthusiast, and a lifelong admirer of Tower of Power. My poetry leans toward outlaw and neo‑Beatnik styles, while my fiction tends to be sci‑fi political thrillers.

    I grew up in Berkeley in a very political family. My father taught at Cal State San Francisco. My ancestry is a swirl of eighteen nationalities. On my father’s side: Basque, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Jewish, Laplander, Mongolian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, and Ukrainian. On my mother’s side: English, Cherokee, Irish, Italian, Nigerian, Scottish, and Welsh. Because my mother descended from the “lost tribe” of the Cherokee Nation — families who fled into the Ozarks to avoid the Trail of Tears — I may also have Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole ancestry. DNA tests only show Native ancestry, not tribal breakdowns.

    My pen name, Cosmos, comes from my middle name. My great‑grandfather wanted an English translation of our German family name, Aller, to use as a middle name for his son, my grandfather. He looked it up and found “Cosmos” or “Universe.” I am the third and last Cosmos Aller. The name has nothing to do with being born in Berkeley, though no one ever believes that — it sounds so quintessentially “Berkeley.” Honestly, “Universe” would have been even more so.

    I appreciate every reader who stops by. Comments are welcome — just keep them civil. Despite our differences, we’re all God’s children. I am not your enemy, and you are not mine.

    Thank you for being here. I hope you enjoy my fiction, musings, rants, and poetry. — Jake Cosmos Aller (aka Cosmos)

    Poems About Fake Food

    These are my poems about fake food. this is the first part of my “fake food” chapbook which is a sub-set of my “Fake Things” manuscript. I hope to shop both around for publication in the Spring. For both collection I use as a working definition of “fake” anything that is not 100 percent the original deal or state. Thus most of the world we live in is that sense “fake” fake things can be better than the original, or just meet a different need but some are insidious like “fake food”. I have posted some of these earlier, and they can be found on Cosmosfunnel, All poetry, Hello Poetry (where is trending whatever that means) and poetry magnum opus.

    of course these opinions are entirely my own and do not reflect the opinions of any my prior employers.

    here we go my poems about fake food! comments and feedback welcomed.

    Fake Food

    in this world of fake things
    Nothing is more fake
    Than the food we eat

    Most of the fake food crap we eat
    Is nothing but chemicals
    And flavorings

    Added to a small amount
    Of real food

    All packaged and sold
    And marketed

    Scientifically designed to taste good
    So we eat the poisoned food
    And get sicker and sicker

    While the food industry giants
    Make obscene profits
    Selling us poison

    Comments: almost all processed food sold in the market is fake in the sense that it has chemicals and preservatives added to it along with gluten, corn syrup and who knows what else, not to mention GMO’s. Fresh fruits and vegetables often have wax on it.

    it is difficult but not impossible to find real food but the big food companies don’t make a lot of profit so they push all the various processed foods on us and we mostly consume as Frank Zappa once sang,

    “eat the garbage that I feed you” from ” I am the Slime” end comment

    Fake coffee

    I used to be a big coffee drinker
    Had to have my four or five cups
    Of real fresh brewed coffee

    Not for me the weak instant coffee
    Of decaf coffee or herbal fake coffee

    But over time coffee caught up to me
    And now I can not handle the real deal
    And I am forced to drink decaf coffee
    Which is a kind of fake coffee to me

    Or herbal coffee
    Which is entirely fake
    Designed to taste like the real thing

    But without that caffeine kick
    That true coffee drinkers crave

    Since we are all caffeine addicts at heart
    Just need that rush to get going
    And keep going

    And the fake coffee
    Just does not do the trick

    And so, I am doomed
    To drink decaf coffee
    And fake coffee

    Missing my real cup of coffee
    Until the day I enjoy the last drop

    comment:

    I do like my coffee so I drink a cup of decaf almost every day and once in a great while real coffee and I will resume drinking herbal coffee but these are fake in the sense that coffee in its original state has caffeine in it. see my other coffee poems on my web page. Several have been published. Particularly snarling cup of coffee.

    here in Korea, there seems to be a coffee shop on every corner. Only in the last year has decaf become widely available, before then it was impossible to find anywhere so there is progress for those like me who can’t handle caffeine.

    End comment

    Fake vegan meat

    A Man Eating A Vegan Burger. Stock Photo – Image of hamburger, meat_ 113961446

    When I go to a vegetarian restaurant
    I often encounter fake meat
    Often called mock meat

    Made out of soybeans, and other things
    And I wonder
    Why bother with the façade

    I mean if you are a vegan
    Be a vegan

    Don’t eat or make fake meat
    You don’t need it
    You really don’t like it

    And it is somehow
    just wrong to me

    So please no more fake meat
    No more tofu turkey for me

    Either give me my meat
    Or give me my vegan delight

    comment: no offense to my vegan friends, but I just don’t get the concept of fake meat. I have had some great fake meat dishes and enjoyed it but just don’t get the concept. end comments

    Fake fish

    Everywhere in the world
    When you eat fish
    In a restaurant

    The restaurant owners
    Claim it is salmon or tuna
    Or other delicious fish

    But the sad reality
    60 percent of the time
    You are eating fake fish

    The fish may be fish
    Or may not be fish
    But if it is indeed fish
    It is probably tilapia

    Or some other cheap
    Bottom feeding scumbag fish
    Filled with toxins

    And possibly tape worms
    And other parasites

    And as you eat your delicious fish
    You are eating the fake fish

    And helping the fish industry
    Continue this con game

    But there is nothing you can do
    Except for catching your own fish
    And preparing it yourself

    So, when you eat fish
    Pretend if you must

    That you eating salmon or tuna
    While you eat your tilapia
    And pay the salmon/tuna premium price

    comment: there are so many fake fish products in the market. one study estimated that less than 50 percent of the time the customers are getting what they thought they had ordered, and it is difficult to tell at times whether the fish you eating is the real deal. Here in Korea though you can buy real fish from the fish market and be somewhat assured that you are eating the real deal. End comment

    are you eating fake fish

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poetry and rants by the Cosmos

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